Graeme Owens signs for Killie FC from Middlesborough

Jun 19 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

KILLIE have snapped up former Middlesbrough youngster Graeme Owens as they gear up for the new season.

Owens is joining Rugby Park on a two-year deal.

Owens, who describes himself as an “out and out winger” turned 21 on June 1, and has decided to leave Boro in search of regular first-team football.

He has made one appearance for the Boro first team – in a Carling Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur – plus seven appearances from the bench.

He’s also had loan spells at Chesterfield and Blackpool. Aged just 15, he was a member of Middlesbrough’s 2004 FA Youth Cup-winning side.

Said Killie boss Jim Jefferies: “The lad trained with us before the end of last season and he looked impressive.

“At the Riverside, he was behind Stuart Downing and Adam Johnston in the pecking order, and he decide to make a move in a bid to play regular first team football.”

With Killie releasing youngsters Scott Anson and Thomas Nolan they were also short of younger players for the bench to meet the current regulations for the number of young players required for the first team squad inclusion.

But Owens won’t settle for a place on the bench and intends to push for a first team start as quickly as possible.

At five feet ten, Owens will also add a bit of height to the Killie attack, and hopefully his ability to get balls into the box will help to boost Kevin Kyle’s profile and enable him carry on where he left off last season.

Jefferies is also looking for promising youngster Iain Flannigan to make a breakthrough this campaign.

Flannigan, also aged 21, played in the final match of the season at Motherwell, but will hope to get more games under his belt in the season ahead.

Explained Jefferies: “It was my intention to give him a few games towards the end of the season, but because of the situation we were in I wasn’t able to do that.

“But we know that he’s capable of playing regularly. He knows this is a big season for him and he’ll definitely be more in our thoughts.”

Killie have also confirmed this week that they will play newly-promoted Burnley at Rugby Park on Thursday, August 6.

Former St Johnstone boss Owen Coyle will bring the new Premiership side to Scotland on a pre-season tour as he prepares for the tough season ahead.

Killie were due to play Wigan the previous evening, but with the upheaval caused by the move of manager Steve Bruce to Sunderland, this hadn’t been confirmed.

There’s still a chance that this match could go ahead however, possibly on Tuesday, August 4.

Killie are also hoping to hear soon about possible friendly matches against Middlesbrough and Newcastle.