Former A-League star Josh Nisbet set to sign with Scottish Premiership outfit Ross County

A Socceroo’s playing future seems to have finally been settled after a period in limbo following his departure from the A-League.

Socceroo Josh Nisbet is expected to sign a deal with Scottish club Ross County. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Socceroos midfielder Josh Nisbet is set to sign with Scottish Premiership club Ross County more than a month after announcing his departure from A-League champions Central Coast.

Nisbet, 25, had been in limbo since it was revealed on July 9 that he was leaving the Mariners to “pursue overseas footballing opportunities”.

However, his next club has now been confirmed, with Ross County manager Don Cowie saying early on Wednesday morning (AEDT): “We are now at the stage where the paperwork is being done, and he is about to do his biometric test in terms of coming into the country.

“I don’t know how long the process takes but I hope he will be in Scotland next week. The sooner the better as it would allow him to get involved with the group and to get used to how we work.”

Josh Nisbet starred for the Mariners last season. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

Nisbet was superb for the Mariners in their treble-winning 2023-24 campaign, with his form earning him the Johnny Warren Medal and leading to him being a given his Socceroos debut by national coach Graham Arnold.

“He had a big decision to make in terms of what he wanted to do in the next step of his career,” Cowie told Scottish press.

“We spoke to plenty of people about him, and we are well aware of what he has done. His pedigree is really good, and I believe it is a real coup to get him.

“He can do everything and has a lot of energy. He isn’t the biggest but it doesn’t stop him getting stuck in and showing his physicality. He is very comfortable on the ball and the fact he has broken into the Australian international squad shows how high a regard he is held.

“Coming into Europe was a big part of it despite having lots of offers from Asia and places like that.

“Our patience has been rewarded and he has decided this is the next stage to take his career to the next level.

“When you get an opportunity to sign a very good footballer and an international then it would be almost stupid not to try and do it. That is why we are signing him.”

Ross County has opened its Scottish Premiership campaign with successive draws – 0-0 with Motherwell and 1-1 with Dundee United.