In what seems a further impressive piece of transfer business, Port Vale has secured the services of Irish striker Ruari Paton. The talented forward has put pen to paper on a three-year contract today, marking his transition to English football.
Paton, who previously plied his trade in North of the border, brings an impressive track record to Vale Park. During his time in various Scottish leagues, he’s showcased his goal-scoring prowess and versatility as born out by his career statistics:
- Scottish Championship: Paton made 70 appearances, scoring 20 goals and providing 5 assists.
- Scottish League One: In League One, he continued to shine, scoring 22 goals in 36 matches, with 5 assists.
- Scottish League Cup: The League Cup provided another platform for Paton to excel, with 13 goals in 21 appearances and 3 assists.
- Scottish League Two: Even in the lower divisions, Paton found the back of the net consistently, registering 6 goals in 18 games, along with 2 assists.
- Scottish FA Cup: His cup exploits include 7 goals in 13 matches, with 1 assist.
- Scottish Challenge Cup: Paton also made an impact in the Challenge Cup, scoring 3 goals in 11 appearances, while providing 2 assists.
Paton started his career with Belvedere FC before joining Hibernian FC in 2016. He progressed through Hibs U17, U20, and B sides, with an additional loan spell at Gala Fairydean. In July 2019, Paton joined East Kilbride, before moving on to Stranraer and Queen of the South in consecutive seasons. Finally, he joined Queens Park in July 2023.
Vale fans can look forward to seeing Paton in action, as he aims to replicate his Scottish success on English soil. The undisclosed transfer fee and three year deal certainly seems to reflect the club’s commitment to securing top talent for the future.
