Arbroath have snapped up veteran striker Jim Hamilton on a one-year deal.
But as Hamilton arrives at Gayfield, injury-hit attacker Bryan Scott has departed, seemingly intent on taking a break from the game.
The signing of 34-year-old Hamilton represents something of a coup for the Lichties. Player-manager Paul Sheerin said on Thursday that capturing the powerful hit-man is the final piece in the jigsaw for this coming season.
“Hammy is exactly the type we were in need of,” said Sheerin. “Not only can he make a direct impact on the park, I think he’s someone our younger players can learn from.
“He’s been working hard on his own and seemed fit enough when he trained with us this week, although clearly we’ll look to build that up over the coming weeks.
“Getting Hammy means we’re now at the top end of the budget and probably finished signings wise, although ideally I would like to add one more squad player.”
The Lichties are Hamilton’s 11th senior club. He has previously played for Dundee, Hearts, Aberdeen, Dundee United, Dunfermline, Ross County, Livingston, Motherwell, St Mirren and Partick Thistle.
Meanwhile, Scott’s four-year spell with Arbroath has ended by mutual agreement.
“Bryan has had a lot of hamstring problems and lost a bit of heart,” said Sheerin. “He’s wanting to take a bit of time out to recharge the batteries. We wish him well and hope that he might return to the game in a few months.”
While Hamilton comes into contention for tomorrow’s Co-operative Insurance cup tie at Dunfermline, Alan Rattray misses out after aggravating the groin problem he’ll have surgery on next month. Keith Gibson is struggling and David di Milta is unavailable.