We can confirm that goalkeeper Shamal George has left the club to join Wycombe Wanderers after the English League 1 side triggered the relevant release fee to allow the number one to depart.

The 26-year-old joined the club from Colchester United back in July 2022 and made his 80th appearance for the Lions in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Greenock Morton.

Shamal kept 22 clean sheets in those 80 appearances and became a favourite amongst our young supporters, always giving time to pose for photos and sign autographs whilst giving away numerous pairs of gloves as kids waited after games, desperate to their favourite player.

In a bit of a de-ja-vu moment, Shamal becomes the second goalkeeper in recent years to leave West Lothian and head for Buckinghamshire, following Max Stryjek who made the same move in the summer of 2022.

Men’s first-team manager David Martindale said: “We knew this was always potentially on the cards and Jerome was already recruited and in place for this eventuality, so we’ve been planning internally for Shamal’s release clause being triggered after relegation.

“Of course, the timing isn’t great but that’s football and we’re prepared and ready to move on.

“Shamal goes with our best wishes and for me, he really grew into the role week-on-week and became a very consistent and dependable goalkeeper as our number 1.

“He will be a loss no doubt, but Jerome has the opportunity now to become the number 1 and a fans favourite.

“We will be bringing in a very competent number 2 who is more than capable of challenging and being our number 1 if needed, so we’re losing a top goalkeeper in Shamal but we’re in a good place and have been planning this behind the scenes for a number of months already.”

It goes without saying, but Shamal heads to Adams Park with the very best wishes from everyone at Livingston Football Club. Good luck Sham!

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