ATHLETIC manager James McPake has hailed the addition of "talented" Malachi Fagan-Walcott and believes he has improved his game since working with him previously.

Last Friday, Dunfermline made their first move into the January transfer market by snapping up the 21-year-old on loan until the end of the season from Cardiff City.

Capped by England at youth level, Fagan-Walcott moved to the EFL (English Football League) Championship Bluebirds in August from Tottenham Hotspur.

In 2020, he was handed his senior debut for Spurs by Jose Mourinho as a late substitute in a UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie with RB Leipzig, and it was while with the London club that Fagan-Walcott first linked-up with McPake.

Dunfermline Press:

In 2021, the current Pars boss took the centre back on loan to Dundee, but his time on Tayside was cut short due to injury.

McPake, though, has kept an eye on his progress since, and told Press Sport: "He's a very talented young player.

"He's a player I've known and, unfortunately, I never got to work with him for long enough when he first came up from Tottenham Hotspur. I'm delighted to get him up and he's settled in well.

"I took him to Dundee, and then I did try and get him to Dundee when we got promoted to the Premiership as well, which never materialised.

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"He's since gone to Cardiff and, obviously, the injuries (the Pars have) are well documented, so we had been looking at centre backs, and different areas of the pitch as well. When Malachi did become available, it was an easy one to do.

"He knows the way we work, I know how he can be. He's a better player now than he was when he was younger. Obviously, he's developed a fair bit, and we're looking forward to working with him.

Dunfermline Press: James McPake was delighted to secure Fagan-Walcott's signature.James McPake was delighted to secure Fagan-Walcott's signature. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"I'd say most managers, coaches, people you've worked with, there is always an interest from afar at times and you look to see how they get on.

"He's someone I kept in touch with on and off. As I say, he's settled in well, and he seems to be enjoying it."

McPake said that the club are working to make further additions as well as Fagan-Walcott, who stands at 6'2" tall, and is a former sprint champion.

His pace is one of the positive attributes that his manager believes he'll bring to the Dunfermline side, with McPake adding: "He's composed on the ball, he's very quick, and he's a good defender.

"I know it was only a short period of time, but to get on in the Champions League and just to be training in and around that first team, under (Antonio) Conte, under Mourinho, coming through that club's academy, obviously there's a talent there.

"To me, that doesn't mean anything really when it comes to first team football. They've got to develop into that at whatever level, and that's what Malachi wants to do now.

"It is different from under-23 football; it's first team football. When you're a young kid, I believe it is really important you go out and you experience that.

"It's good getting a fresh face in and it's also good when you see that player on the training pitch and you can see he's got the ability to help your team."