Fees agreed ... Full Rotherham recruitment update from this week's Advertiser

A DEAL for Hakeem Odoffin is one of two signings Rotherham United have all but wrapped up this week.
Hakeem OdoffinHakeem Odoffin
Hakeem Odoffin

A fee has been agreed with Scottish Premiership side Hamilton Academical for the midfield man who is highly regarded north of the border.

Manager Paul Warne has not confirmed his target’s identity, but the Advertiser understands the 23-year-old is the player poised to travel south to complete the formalities after the weekend.

The second new recruit, who should also arrive next week, is believed to be a young left-back.

Accies manager Brian Rice confirmed they have accepted an improved bid for Odoffin, saying: “I’m delighted for the boy that he’s got a move to an English team. He’s closer to home and it will be better for him.

“But obviously I’m disappointed to lose a player of his calibre. He did fantastically well for us last season.”

Warne said after Tuesday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Newcastle United: “I think we’ve got two. Fees have been agreed with the teams. Medicals haven’t been done yet.

“I don’t expect to see either player until after the weekend. I have notified the dressing room of the players I think we’ve got and why I’ve got them. They’re not coming in to replace the lads, they’re coming in to compete.”

Odoffin, from Barnet, London, made 41 appearances for Hamilton last season.

The chances of St Johnstone right-back Shaun Rooney moving to AESSEAL New York Stadium have receded. However, the Millers are pursuing a centre-half and were hoping for the go-ahead from his club yesterday (Wednesday).

They bid for St Mirren defender Conor McCarthy several weeks ago but have moved on to other targets in that position.

Rotherham remain interested in a loan deal for a young midfielder with a top-flight team but will have to bide their time.

“His club still haven’t got everyone back from the Euros and the Concacaf Cup,” Warne said. “Until that happens, no-one is moving down the bus. You have players aged 20 or 21 at Premier League clubs who will go out on loan in about three weeks’ time.

“In the meantime, they could be impressing their managers and might stay where they are. I don’t think that one will happen before the season kicks off.”

The manager missed out on two frontmen this week but still plans to add to his forward line.

“I’m always in for a striker,” he said. “We are trying to sign a striker but at the moment that search is quite fruitless. I think I’ve just lost out to a local rival for one. It is what it is.”

Reports elsewhere have suggested the Millers are chasing Rochdale midfielder Oliver Rathbone but, for now at least, he isn’t a player they’re looking to bring in.