BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
FALKIRK have snapped up former Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock defender Conrad Balatoni on a deal until the end of the year.
The 26-year-old was available on a free transfer after leaving Ayr United at the end of last season and had several suitors in the Scottish Championship and abroad.
However, he has decided to link up with the Bairns, who were desperate to strengthen their backline following a miserable start to the campaign which sees them at the foot of the second tier.
Balatoni, who came through the youth ranks at Hearts, has initially penned a contract until December 31 but there is an option to extend his stay for the remainder of the season.
He will train with his new teammates this morning and is likely to make his debut in Saturday’s Irn-Bru Cup clash against Sligo Rovers.
Balatoni said: “It has taken a bit of time to get things done, but I’m delighted to sign and I can’t wait to get started.
“My main goal after leaving Ayr United last year was to go full time and I had a couple of options abroad, but they just weren’t right.
“I am really happy to sign for a club like Falkirk, I just really want to get started and help to get this team up the league.”
Falkirk have also been linked with Hearts defender Jordan McGhee and Aberdeen’s Daniel Harvey, with boss Peter Houston having made no secret of his desire for reinforcements ahead of the transfer window closing at midnight.
Houston told Falkirkfc.co.uk: “I have said over the past few days that we needed to bolster the squad with a couple of signings.
“We are still working away at further strengthening the squad before the close of the transfer window and I hope to be able to do something on that over the next 24 hours.”
