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Dutch defender Van Schalk joins Livingston

The 20-year-old most recently played for Twente.

Livingston have signed Dutch defender Henk van Schalk.

The 20-year-old – who can play centre-back, right-back or defensive midfield – has joined after recently leaving Twente in pursuit of first-team football.

Manager Gary Holt told the club's official website: "Henk is a young player with bags of potential. He has been in training with us for a good week or so and played in a reserve game most recently.

"(Assistant manager) Davie (Martindale) and I have been really impressed with him in training, and we feel the lad has done enough to convince us that he can play in the Scottish Premiership.

"He is most definitely one for future, but will probably find himself in and around the first team in the very near future.

"There's always a steep learning curve getting lads up to speed with the tempo and physical nature of Scottish football when they haven't played here before, but Henk has all the attributes needed to play at this level."

Meanwhile, midfielder Keaghan Jacobs is loving life in the top flight as he and his team-mates continue to vindicate their belief that they had what it takes to thrive.

Livi sit fourth in the Premiership ahead of the visit of St Johnstone on Wednesday after going eight league games unbeaten.

Jacobs has played in all four divisions in Scotland during more than 10 years in West Lothian and he is revelling in their current run.

"I'm loving it," the 29-year-old said. "It's been challenging but very rewarding at the same time. I think you can see by the boys' performances that we are thriving.

"Personally, my highlight would be getting my 250th appearance and scoring in the Premiership but as a team, it's probably just how well we have been doing. The boys have been excellent.

"Things have gone probably a lot better than everyone anticipated for us, but we knew as a team we had what it takes in the Premiership to go and get results, and we are going out and doing it most weeks.

"I am enjoying my football as much as ever now. I feel fit, I feel sharp, and hopefully that continues for the rest of the season."

Ahead of the visit of Saints, he added: "It's the same as every other game, we train towards the game and we will go into the game with the same mentality as we have the rest."

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