Homeless player signs professional deal with Stirling

A member of the Scotland Homeless World Cup squad has been handed a one-year professional contract with Stirling Albion.

Full-back Sean Lawrence won the deal following trials held on 4 June by Division Two club, reports BBC Scotland.

He will link up with his new team-mates for the first-time this evening when they meet for pre-season training.

Stirling director Paul Goodwin joked that the club could find themselves at the centre of their first club-versus-country dispute when the Homeless World Cup is held between 21 and 28 August.

He said: "It's a first for Stirling Albion.

"To the best of my knowledge, it's not a problem we have ever had before, but it's a good problem to have."

New signing Lawrence was one of more than 30 trialists who attended the "So You Think You're Good Enough?" initiative in an attempt to catch the eye of manager Jocky Scott.

The scheme saw hopefuls pay £200 to join the trial, but Lawrence and three of his Homeless World Cup team-mates were invited to play for free.

In total 12 trialists have been told to report for pre-season training.

Players' union representatives have raised concerns about players paying for their own trials, but Stirling defended the idea and have arranged another match for 17 players who missed the original deadline.