Inverness Caledonian Thistle trialist duo win deals

Johnson and Blumenshtein have won one-year deals with Inverness

Inverness have signed 20-year-old Israeli forward Gil Blumenshtein and 19-year-old English goalkeeper Max Johnson after they impressed on trial.

Blumenshtein, who last July had a trial with Rangers, was last season with Hapoel Bersheba, who finished ninth in Israel's top flight last season.

He has a Polish passport, so there are no work permit issues.

Johnson, who has also signed a one-year contract, has spent three years with Newcastle United.

The Norwich-born keeper, who had spells as a youth with Burnley and Bury, came through Newcastle's academy and played for the Championship champions' reserves last season.

We're not finished our recruitment yet and we have several other trialists continuing to train with us and we'll see if there are developments there Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Terry Butcher

Caley Thistle manager Terry Butcher said: "I received good recommendations on both lads and they have shown up well in practice matches and earned themselves offers.

"Gil has good speed and is a versatile attacker and adds to our forward resources.

"We've been looking for goalkeeping back-up for Ryan Esson and Max has good experience from Newcastle and will challenge for the jersey.

"It's pleasing to get these deals done and dusted early, but we're not finished our recruitment yet and we have several other trialists continuing to train with us and we'll see if there are developments there."

Blumenshtein, who was previously with Maccabi Netanya, scored a hat-trick for Rangers' reserves in a 6-1 over Portadown last year.

However, that still was not enough to win a permanent contract with the Scottish champions and he went on to play 10 times for Bersheba last season.

On signing for the Highlanders, Blumenshtein told BBC Scotland: "I am very happy. I am looking forward to playing in the SPL."