Although Richard King started his Scottish Premiership journey with St Mirren on a losing note, the Reggae Boyz defender is being touted for an excellent season after already winning over his teammates and the club’s supporters.

The 23-year-old, who joined from reigning Jamaica Premier League champions Cavalier FC this summer, made his league debut on Sunday, playing 90 minutes in a 0-1 defeat to perennial champions Celtic at Celtic Park.

King, who joins Ricardo Fuller as the only Jamaican-born players to play in the Scottish top flight, looked set for his first point and clean sheet but Luke McGowan’s 87th minute gave champions Celtic the win late on.

Despite the loss, journalist Taylor Murray of Scottish newspaper

Daily Record, praised King’s performance, particularly because it was against of the world’s most famous clubs.

“He looks like someone who wasn’t afraid to throw himself about and he handled being up against a physical striker really well,” Murray told the Jamaica Observer.

“He didn’t have loads of blocks to do as Celtic seemed to avoid his side but stats showed that behind goalkeeper Shamal George, King had the most amount of passes. If he performs at the level he did at Celtic Park in the rest of the games — including Rangers — he will be sure to continue to stand out.”

There’s often the narrative that overseas players will need time before they settle into a new club. However, King who has 32 appearances for Jamaica, has seemingly broken that mould.

The three-time JPL champion and Concacaf Caribbean Cup winner has already helped St Mirren into the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup with wins against Ayr United, Annan Athletic and Forfar Athletic. King also netted his first goal from the penalty spot in the 8-2 win over Annan.

Though just early signs, Murray says King is proving to be a solid signing for the club and its passionate supporters.

“Richard King had impressed many St Mirren fans since he came in to the club through the pre-season friendlies and the Premier Sporte Cup games. He has become someone that people feel comfortable to see have the ball and be strong in defending,” he said.

“Having spoken to teammates, including captain Mark O’Hara, they have all been impressed with his ability in training and during games. Marcus Fraser, one of his defensive partners on Sunday, said out of all the signings he’s stood out so far. Supporters have taken to him and like what they see. And having spoken to him after his home debut against Annan Athletic where he scored, he admitted he felt the love already from the St Mirren fans.”

St Mirren captain O’Hara says the team will continue their efforts to make King as comfortable as possible.

“He looks really good on the ball and I’m sure he’s going to be exciting for the fans. It’s great that we can attract a player like that, a Jamaican international, here,” O’Hara said.

“[He] can be made to feel welcome and bed in seamlessly with a lot experience round about them and made to feel welcome — and it’s not just me — others help players bed in, too.”

St Mirren will be looking to improve on their sixth-place finish in the league last season and many believe King can be a big factor in that.

However, Murray says he will need to make some tweaks to his game if he’s to maintain consistency.

“It seems counterproductive as it is one of his strong parts of his game but he will need to learn to not be rash in all his challenges. There has been a few times he went into a tackle in a strong manner and the attacker has been able to get a foul by going down under the tackle,” he said.

“Against Annan Athletic [albeit a very low level of opposition] he was caught going forward and being out of position a few times. Against Celtic he didn’t get the chance to do that but in games where he does have the chance he will need to be disciplined as to when he can and can’t go,” Murray added.

King is set to return to action on Saturday in his home league debut against Motherwell.

Reggae Boyz defender and former Cavalier FC captain Richard King playing for Scottish Premiership club St Mirren. .

Reggae Boyz defender and former Cavalier FC captain Richard King netting from the penalty spot to score his first goal for St Mirren in their 8-2 Scottish League Cup win over Annan Athletic on Saturday July 19, 2025.