Daniel Martins joins Gala Fairydean on loan from Annan Athletic

Scotland and Nigeria centre-back Daniel Martins has joined Gala Fairydean from Annan Athletic on loan, completing a move to the Lowland League club until 1 January 2027.

The 26-year-old defender made the switch on 5 September 2026 after only two months with Annan, having joined the Scottish League Two side from Cal. Braves on a free transfer on 1 July.

Martins has featured in five matches during the 2026-27 campaign, appearing in the Scottish Challenge Cup, Scottish League Cup and Scottish Lowland Football League. He has started both of his Challenge Cup appearances and played the full 90 minutes of his Lowland League outing.

The Lagos-born player has not scored this season and has received one yellow card in his league appearance. He has also played twice in the League Cup, taking his total number of appearances for the campaign to five.

His move to Gala Fairydean takes him from League Two to the Lowland League for the remainder of the current spell. The temporary arrangement is scheduled to end at the start of January, when he is due to return to Annan Athletic.

Martins began his senior career with Greenock Reserves before moving through Greenock Under-20s, Livingston Under-20s and Alloa Athletic Under-20s. He subsequently represented Irvine Victoria, Watra Bialka, Gretna, Cowdenbeath and Camelon before joining Cal. Braves in July 2023.

He has played primarily as a centre-back throughout that career and stands 1.90m tall. His previous move to Annan was his first transfer of the 2026-27 season before this loan switch to Gala Fairydean.

The completed loan sends Daniel Martins from Annan Athletic to Gala Fairydean until 1 January 2027.