Former Caernarfon Town and Wrexham forward makes Scottish Championship transfer
Louis Lloyd has dropped in to see his former club Caernarfon Town previously. (pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)
Former Caernarfon Town striker Louis Lloyd has joined Stenhousemuir on a season-long loan from Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone as he looks to reignite his career in Scotland.
The 22-year-old Welshman has made 10 appearances for St Johnstone this season, scoring once, although two of those outings came from the substitutes’ bench in the Premiership.
Lloyd now drops down a division to join a Stenhousemuir side challenging at the top of the league, with manager Marvin Bartley hoping the move can give the forward the regular football he needs.
Louis Lloyd’s impressive spell with Caernarfon
Lloyd became one of the standout attacking players in the Cymru Premier during his time with Caernarfon Town.
He played a starring role as the Cofis secured a joint-record fourth-place finish in the league during the 2024/25 campaign and also helped the club reach the European play-off final.
The striker finished the regular season in spectacular form, scoring five goals across his final four matches to take his league tally to 16 and share the golden boot.
He then added four more goals in Caernarfon’s 5-2 play-off quarter-final win over Barry Town United.
Those performances earned Lloyd the Cymru Premier Young Player of the Season award for 2024/25, while he was also named in the division’s Team of the Season.
His previous clubs include Shrewsbury Town and Wrexham before his move to St Johnstone.
Stenhousemuir boss explains why Lloyd was targeted
Bartley believes Lloyd can make an impact once he reaches the fitness levels required by his new club.
“Louis has had a frustrating start to his career in Scotland, but he’s determined to kickstart it here,” the Stenhousemuir manager said.
“His outstanding scoring record in Wales earned him the move to St Johnstone. Once we get him up to our fitness levels, I know he’ll be a valuable asset to the squad.”
Bartley also thanked St Johnstone and sporting director Gus MacPherson for helping to complete the loan deal and for trusting Stenhousemuir with one of their young players.
For Lloyd, the move represents an opportunity to play more regularly and reproduce the form that made him such a prolific scorer in Welsh domestic football.
St Johnstone boss says Lloyd must take his chance
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari believes Stenhousemuir provides Lloyd with a good opportunity, particularly given the club’s strong position in the league.
“I do believe this is a good loan for Louis,” Valakari said to The Courier.
“Louis has gone to a team which is playing very well and is top of their league.”
Valakari acknowledged that breaking into the starting XI will be Lloyd’s first challenge, before adding that the forward must also demonstrate that he can remain available consistently.
“That won’t be easy,” he said.
The St Johnstone boss also pointed to injuries that have disrupted Lloyd’s progress and hopes the striker can stay fit during his spell away from McDiarmid Park.
“If he stays fit and gets into their team, I have no doubts that his quality will show and he will score goals,” Valakari said.
Lloyd is contracted to St Johnstone until the summer of 2028 after signing a three-year deal in 2025.
