Murray Davidson will come back into St Johnstone’s first team better than ever, according to manager Tommy Wright.
The midfielder signed a deal through to the end of the season, with the possibility of a 12-month extension should he make the number of appearances expected this campaign.
The 26-year-old, who endured an eight-month lay-off after knee surgery, had penned a short-term deal in the summer.
Now that he is two under-20 games into his comeback, terms have been agreed on a fresh contract and Wright expects him back in Premiership action sooner rather than later.
The Northern Irishman said: “Murray has been a very important player for us in the past and he will be so again.
“He has played U-20 games and I am convinced he will be an even more effective player for us now that his injury problems are behind him.”
Davidson was linked Rangers and clubs from England before he penned a new deal at Perth last summer.
But his season was cut short in January when he tore his patellar tendon in a match against Hearts.
That ruled him out of the rest of a campaign which saw Saints lift the Scottish Cup for the first time in their history.
Wright added: “Murray has signed an initial 12-month deal but there is scope for it to become two years based on appearances, which I am sure he will reach this season.
“I’m delighted that Muzz has signed on again.
“We all know what he is capable of and he has shown his commitment to the club in the past, playing games when he was far from being fully fit.
“Muzz has grafted hard to get to this stage in his rehab and when he is back to full match fitness this will be like signing a new player.”