St Mirren: Jacob Devaney arrives from Man Utd as Evan Mooney sold to Arsenal

St Mirren have signed a promising 18-year-old midfielder to replace another as Jacob Devaney arrived on loan at Manchester United while Evan Mooney was sold to Arsenal.

Yorkshire-born Devaney is captain of United’s under-21 side, for whom he has made 22 appearances this season, and has also played six times for the Republic of Ireland under-21 side.

Describing himself as “a hard-working midfielder”, he told the St Mirren website that he enjoys doing his part on both ends of the pitch and has worked hard to add goals and assists this season.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson believes the teenager is capable of making an immediate impact and said: “Jacob gives us something we don’t have.

“We haven’t really replaced Caolan Boyd-Munce and, with Keanu (Baccus) injured, we haven’t had that link between defense and midfield in recent weeks.”

Meanwhile, St Mirren said they had “secured a substantial fee with potential for significant future additions and a significant resale clause” for academy graduate Mooney.

Mooney had made 23 appearances since his first-team debut in October 2024, but all 15 this season have come from the bench.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Evan at a club the size of Arsenal,” added Robinson.

“Evan, his family and his advisors were very excited to go.

“It was also a great deal for the club and we are very well protected in terms of additions and sales if Evan continues to fulfill the potential we believe he has.”