Premier League legend, 52, signs his son in first summer transfer as he hands him lifeline after Newcastle exit

DUNCAN FERGUSON has brought son Cameron with him to Scotland.

The Everton legend, 52, took over at Inverness Caledonian Thistle last September.

And he has snapped up Cameron on a free transfer after he left Newcastle in January.

The 21-year-old striker spent time on loan at Forfar Athletic last season.

Academy graduates Keith Bray, Ethan Cairns, Calum Mackay, Matthew Strachan and Robbie Thompson have all signed new deals with Caley.

Ferguson tried to sign his lad last season but was blocked by red tape.

Ferguson junior spent the first half of the season on loan at Forfar Athletic in League Two, where he was coached by his dad’s pal and former Dundee United team-mate Ray McKinnon.

He played 12 times and scored once – in extra-time against Huntly in the Scottish Cup.

But while that spell gave the Liverpool-born forward first-team experience, it also ruled him out of a step up to the Championship due to a hidden rule.

Cameron had been lined up to sign at the Caledonian Stadium after training with the team on trial until it was discovered he had already played for two clubs this season after making one appearance for Newcastle’s Under-21s.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

He signed for nearby Forres Mechanics in the Highland League instead.

Dad Duncan explained: “Unfortunately, there’s been a technicality we knew nothing about under cross-border rules, with three clubs.

“In England, if you’ve played for the under-21s that counts. In Scotland it doesn’t.

“If he had played for Rangers under 21s and went Forfar and played, he would have been alright.

“But in England for some reason, if you’ve even played a minute for the under 21s, that counts as his third team.

“He has played for Newcastle 21s and Forfar, so I can’t sign him, and I think I would have been close.”