St Johnstone’s Stuart McCaffrey has agreed a permanent transfer to Greenock Morton.
The centre-half was an integral part of the Saints team which clinched promotion at the end of the 2008-2009 season.
He had hoped to play a big role last term as the Perth side looked to consolidate in the SPL, but that dream was wrecked by a long-term hernia problem which required surgery.
The former Hibs and Inverness player has now battled his way back to full fitness but his opportunities for first-team action at McDiarmid would have been limited with Michael Duberry, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Steven Anderson and Graham Gartland also fighting it out for the two centre-back jerseys.
Initially, it looked like McCaffrey would be moving on loan to Allan Moore’s first division Morton side in a bid to obtain regular football.
However, all parties have now agreed that the deal should be a permanent one.
As McCaffrey tied up the loose ends in Perth, St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes in Ulster paid tribute to the player’s contribution during his time at the club and wished him all the best in the future.
“Stuart has signed a one-year deal at Morton. He played a huge part in helping us win promotion a couple of seasons ago and I think that has to be recognised.
“Last season, he spent a long time out injured and he has worked really hard this summer to come back, but we probably have an overload of central defenders.
“So the opportunity to play more regularly came up at Morton and I am sure he will enjoy it there, but everyone at St Johnstone, including the players and staff, wish him all the best.
“He is a good individual, a terrific team-mate and we hope he has nothing but success.”