Paul Nsio has completed a season-long loan move from Rangers to St Mirren after impressing during a loan with Championship side Raith Rovers last season.
The 20-year-old midfielder becomes St Mirren's seventh signing of the summer and will spend the 2026/27 campaign in the Premiership after an encouraging spell on loan at Stark's Park last season.
Nsio made 31 appearances for Raith, scored three goals and was named the Championship club's Young Player of the Year after helping them lift the KDM Evolution Trophy. He was even compared to former French international Paul Pogba by his teammates.
St Mirren explain why they wanted Nsio
St Mirren manager Craig McLeish revealed the Buddies had tracked Nsio extensively before completing the move and believes his versatility made him an ideal addition.
"Paul is a player we've watched a lot of," he revealed.
"We've spoken to a lot of people who've worked with him at Raith last season and the guys at Rangers this year.
"He's had a really strong pre-season with Rangers. He started finding himself playing at right-back as well.
"We know he can play as a six and can play higher up as an eight in midfield, so he gives us a number of different options to use him.
"He needs the next step up in his career and we get a really strong player who can add value to our group as well."
McLeish also highlighted the physical attributes Nsio will bring to his squad.
"That versatility is a big part of bringing Paul in. His signing adds physicality to the group as well and he's another one who's hungry, energetic and desperate to get to the highest level he possibly can."
Nsio eager to test himself
The Rangers youngster believes regular Premiership football is the ideal next step in his development.
"I've always wanted to develop and play at the highest level. I feel like this is a good test for me to see what I'm capable of.
"I just love to win. I'm ambitious, I want to help the team and the gaffer, and I want to get the fans behind us."
Rangers' messaging offers insight
Rangers confirmed the move on social media, wishing Nsio well for the season ahead.
Interestingly, the announcement came via the club's academy account rather than the main first-team channels, despite the midfielder featuring prominently during pre-season under McInnes.
That could be interpreted as an indication that Rangers still view Nsio primarily as one of the club's leading academy prospects rather than an established first-team player, even after he earned opportunities with the senior squad this summer.
The Kirkaldy-based boss wanted to bring Nsio back for a second loan spell with Rovers.
"Yes it's a disappointment (missing out on the Nsio signing) but Rangers are his parent club. They decide where they see him best fitted," Imrie admitted.
"We would have loved to have had him back.
"He did well for us last season, but these decisions are out of our control.
"It's Rangers' prerogative and decision where they best see Paul fitting in somewhere.
"We 100% were after him to get him back here. But they've decided that they want him to go elsewhere.
"So again, yes we're disappointed because we felt that he could come in here and kick on again.
With Premiership football now secured at St Mirren after last season's play-off final win over Partick Thistle, Rangers will hope another successful loan spell accelerates the midfielder's path towards challenging for a place at Ibrox.
He has however, not yet agreed terms on a new first-team contract with Derek McInnes's side.
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