Dundee have pulled off a major signing coup with the capture of Raith Rovers striker John Baird.
Baird, whose deal at Stark’s Park ends next month, has scored 26 goals since he joined the Kirkcaldy outfit from Airdrie two years ago and last season he was the PFA Scotland First Division player of the year.
Those achievements put him on the radar of a host of clubs and Dundee even had some last-minute competition for his signature.
However, he has become boss Barry Smith’s first summer signing and, having put pen to paper, the player admitted he can’t wait to begin this new chapter in his career at Dens Park.
He said: ”I am just delighted to get my future sorted out. I only met Barry Smith for the first time today as I have been away on holiday but we have spoken a few times on the phone.
‘I didn’t need any persuasion to join a club as big as Dundee. However, it is still a wrench to leave Raith Rovers. I have had two great years there and the fans were really good to me.
”John McGlynn is a superb manager to work with and he was also good to me when he knew Dundee were interested in signing me.
”He even spoke to Barry on the phone and spoke highly of me which I really appreciated and I leave the club with his best wishes.
”I now can’t wait to hit the ground running in pre-season for Dundee.”
Dark Blues chief executive Scot Gardiner said: ”I know that one or two of our rivals in the division were chasing John and indeed there was a last-gasp attempt to spirit him away.
”But John has been very straight with Barry and the club since we first approached him and he was as determined to sign for Dundee FC as we were to get him.
”John is a proven goal scorer and I’m sure he will do well working with Barry and the rest of the team next season.”
Smith admitted he had been impressed by Baird’s desire to join Dundee.
He said: ”We’re delighted to have John on board. He has a good track record in this division, and I’m sure he’ll be a good addition to the squad.
”The club knows he has had other offers and good ones at that but he made it clear that Dens Park was where he wanted to play his football next season, and that’s exactly the kind of player we want at this club.”