Kilmarnock send trio out on loan after announcing cooperation agreement with League Two side Annan Athletic
Kilmarnock have announced a cooperation agreement with League Two outfit Annan Athletic.
As part of the move, three Killie yonugsters have joined the Galabank side on loan.
Defender Duncan Barlow, midfielder Josh Gilmour and striker Zander Craik will all make the temporary move in a bid for regular first team football.
The cooperation system has recently been launched as part of a new SFA and SPFL initiative aimed at boosting opportunities for young Scottish players.
It provides greater flexibility to the previous domestic loan agreements, by allowing teams a maximum of three players who are eligible to represent the Scotland national teams, to join a lower-league club but also be able to move between the parent and cooperation club throughout the season to increase playing time.
All three players have yet to make their senior Killie debuts but featured in last night's 6-1 Premier Sports Cup loss for Annan at home to Ayr United.
Annan boss Wullie Gibson hailed the agreement, telling the club website: 'We're delighted to have joined Kilmarnock with this new loan scheme.
'I have a good relationship with the Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell who gave us Luca Ross last year when he was manager of Motherwell.
'I also have contacts from my time at Kilmarnock. Paul Di Giacomo a former team mate there has been a massive part of this cooperation agreement and would like to thank him. Hopefully this agreement will be good for both parties.'
In a separate move, goalkeeper Corey Armour has joined League One side Kelty Hearts on loan for the season.
The youngster impressed at Auchinleck Talbot last term and gets his first taste of SPFL action.
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