Kilmarnock make double signing ahead of Premier Sports Cup opener

Kilmarnock have announced two new signings as manager Stuart Kettlewell shapes his squad for the new season.

Dutch striker Djenairo Daniels and Welsh midfielder Tom Lowery have both signed two-year contracts at Rugby Park just days before the season’s opening game against Brora Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup.

Daniels moves from Cork after spending the first half of the year in the League of Ireland, where he scored five goals in 12 appearances.

The well-traveled former PSV and Utrecht youth player has also played in Canada, Portugal and Iceland and Kettlewell believes the 23-year-old can make a positive addition to his attacking line-up.

“Djenairo is one that we’ve been aware of for a while and his qualities are clear to see.

“He’s been playing consistently recently and we’re confident he will come in and hit the ground running, and that he can add to the quality we already have in the squad,” he said. “We’re looking forward to working with him.”

Lowery came through the ranks at Crewe Alexandra and played more than 150 games for the club before moving to Portsmouth three years ago, but he found first-team football hard to come by at Pompey. A return to Crewe on loan last season saw him play regularly and he will now compete for a place in the Killie midfield.

“Tom is a player I’ve admired for a while,” Kettlewell said. “He’s technically very good, works hard off the ball and brings great energy to the middle of the park.

“I believe he’ll complement what we already have and add real depth and quality to our midfield options.”

Lowery said: “I’m buzzing to get this done. Kilmarnock is a massive club with big ambitions and I can’t wait to get started and show what I can do for the fans. I’m ready to get going.”