St Mirren buy goalkeeper Chapman from Huddersfield

[Getty Images] St Mirren have tasked themselves with turning Jacob Chapman into an Australia international after signing the 25-year-old goalkeeper from Huddersfield Town for an undisclosed fee. Chapman travelled from his homeland to join the League One club's academy at the age of 18 and has since made 28 first-team appearances. But he ended last season on loan to Crawley Town, keeping nine clean sheets in 20 appearances as they narrowly avoided relegation in League Two. Now he has signed two-year contract with the Scottish Premiership club, who hold an option of a further year. St Mirren manager Craig McLeish told his club website: "We've had loans for the last three seasons or so and it feels like we're developing goalkeepers for other clubs and not getting a long-term benefit from it. "Our specific targets were to find someone at a really good age, like Jacob, who has development still to do. We get really good use out of him, but ultimately we want Jacob to get to the highest level that he wants to get to. "He's been in and around the Australia national team squads and training camps. That's one of the goals that we've set, can we turn Jacob into a full international. "We really like a lot about his game. He's an all-rounder and a very good shot-stopper. He's really comfortable on the ball and helps us build and helps us play." Chapman had been told there was no guarantee of first-team football if he remained in Huddersfield and is delighted to accept "a fantastic opportunity" to join a club that won the Scottish League Cup last season. "The league's great with the games you play and St Mirren's obviously a very good club," he said. "I know some of the boys and they gave me fantastic references on everyone here, coaches and people around the club, which is massive." During his time with Huddersfield, Chapman also had loan spells with Ossett United, Gateshead, Salford City and Rochdale and sporting director Chris Markham told his club website: "Understandably, at 25 years old, Jacob wants regular first-team football, which is something we cannot guarantee here. "We believe this move is in the best interests of the player and the club. It gives Jacob the chance to establish himself as a number one and rewards Huddersfield Town as he hopefully succeeds."