No League of Ireland return for David McMillan as former Dundalk striker joins Hamilton Accies on loan

Former Dundalk striker David McMillan has joined Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Academical on loan from St Johnstone.

McMillan joins the Accies after a relatively unsuccessful opening year in Scotland with just 23 appearances and five goals to his name.

The 30-year-old had been made available for transfer by the Perth club last week, with clubs in the League of Ireland on alert should he have decided to come home.

Instead, McMillan has opted to take the opportunity to prove himself in the Scottish top tier and fight for his place with St Johnstone next season.

"With Michael coming in and the performances of Tony, Matty and Kano it has meant that opportunities have been hard to come by for David,” said St Johnstone manager Wright.

"When he's played it's obvious he has the ability to score goals and we felt like it was the best thing for the club and for David that he gets the opportunity to have a run of games.

"He's still our player and he still wants to be a Saints player so we wish him well at Hamilton and he'll come back to us in the summer.”

Prior to his move across the Irish Sea, McMillan made 285 competitive showings in the League of Ireland for UCD, Sligo Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk.

While at UCD, the prolific marksman struck up a superb striking partnership with Ciaran Kilduff as the Students landed just their second First Division crown in 2009 before joining Pats in 2011.

The former Mounts Merrion schoolboy made his return to Belfield in 2012 before departing the UCD Bowl in 2013 to join Sligo Rovers.



After a brief stint with the Bit O’Red, McMillan joined forces with Dundalk, where McMillan won three league titles, two EA Sports Cups and one FAI Cup with the Lilywhites.

The 30-year-old striker became the League of Ireland’s all-time leading goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League while at the Oriel Park outfit.

McMillan achieved this feat as Dundalk embarked on a fairytale European run under the stewardship of now Republic of Ireland Under-21 boss, Stephen Kenny.

Hamilton’s director of gootball Allan McGonigal commented on the deal saying: “We’re delighted to add another striker to the squad.  

"It'll be good for David to get out and get some games," Tommy said, "and going to Hamilton gives him the opportunity to do that.

“It’s an area we’ve been looking to strengthen. David arrives with a proven goalscoring pedigree and we’re hoping he can continue that here at Hamilton Accies.”