A FOOTBALLING talent from Beith has just taken a massive step in his career.

Cameron Elliott, know as Cami, has moved away from part time football after signing with full time League of Ireland Premier Division side Dundalk FC.

He became the Irish outfit's fourth signing of 2023 - moving from Scottish Lowland League side East Kilbride FC where he notched an impressive 15 goals in just 21 appearances in the season so far.

As recently as 2019, Cami, 23, was plying his trade at Valefield Park during a loan stint with Kilbirnie Ladeside from parent club Stranraer.

Prior to this, after leaving the academy set up at St Mirren, Cami spent time with his hometown club Beith Juniors, before making a move into the senior ranks of Scottish football with Stranraer, where he featured in the club's Scottish Cup tie away to Rangers in 2020.

He then spent four years at the club, though never really hit top form until his move to East Kilbride in July of 2021.

Now, moving to Dundalk, Cami told the club's website of his high hopes for his future at Oriel Park.

He said: “It’s a great opportunity for me, I’m very grateful for the chance to play for Dundalk and the success the club has had over the past 10 years was a massive factor in me signing."

And the striker is certainly joining a club with pedigree, with Dunadalk 14-time League of Ireland champion and 12-time FAI cup winners, with their most recent triumphs coming in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

While in the 2016/17 season, they defied the odds to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League where they earned the first points by an Irish club in the group stage of European competition as they secured a draw against AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands and a victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv back in Ireland.

Though they still finished bottom of their group and crashed out at the group stages.

They made this same stage again in 2021/22 though picked up no points as they were eliminated from the competition.

Cami continued by discussing his targets for the rest of the campaign.

He said: “The aim for me now is to continue on where I left off at East Kilbride.

"Obviously, it’s a different level but it’s something I’m really looking forward to. I feel fit and strong and I can’t wait to get going.”

Dundalk's head coach Stephen O'Donnell told their website that he is excited by the type of player they are bringing in.

He commented: “Once we were interested, Cammy was desperate to make the move happen, that is exactly the kind of player we want at the club.

“He’s a great goal record over the last few seasons and he’s scored against good calibre opposition like Celtic’s B team.

“We’ve signed a player who not only knows where the goal is but someone who will work tirelessly and work a backline. He’s got a lot of raw attributes, he’s a powerful runner and he’s very sharp with his movement and gets his shots away.

“There’s really good scope for him to kick on and develop and he’s the right type of profile that we like. I think he’ll go from strength to strength when he gets in and starts to work with us each day.”

The League of Ireland Premier Division season typically runs from February through to November.

Dundalk finished in third position last season, qualifying for the 2023/24 Europa Conference League in the process.

Cami's first competitive match for his new club could be their league opener against UCD on February 17.