Experienced midfielder seals late deal

Jimmy Nicholl has sealed a further deadline day signing with the addition of 38-year old central midfielder Lee Makel from Swedish 1st Division side Ostersunds FK.

The Sunderland-born player moved out to Sweden to take up a player/coach position with Ostersunds in April 2008 but returned to Scotland at the end of last year. He has been training with Cowdenbeath since November but could not sign on the dotted line until the re-opening of the transfer window and receiving international clearance.

Makel started his career with Newcastle United but is best known for successful spells with Hearts and Livingston (twice). He won the Scottish Cup with Hearts and Scottish League Cup with Livingston. He also helped the Almondvale side to a third place finish in the SPL and a place in the UEFA Cup.

The cultured midfielder has also turned out for Blackburn Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Bradford City, Plymouth Argyle, Dunfermline Athletic and a short spell with East Fife during the Swedish close season.

Nicholl stated his desire at the beginning of January to sign a couple of players with 1st Division plus experience and the addition of Makel and Stevie Crawford certainly meets that criteria.

The signing of Makel is unlikely to signal the last piece of winter transfer business with Nicholl hoping to complete one more signing later this week as the player is as free agent. A number of youngsters are also expected to join Steven Bennett (Belshill Athletic), Dean Brett (Tranent) and Kyle Miller (Tranent) on loan with junior sides.