Dundee boss Barry Smith has added another player to his squad for next season after snapping up Ross Chisholm from Arbroath.
He becomes the Dens Park manager’s fourth signing of the week following the official unveiling of Steven Milne, Jake Hyde and Ross Conroy on Monday.
Chisholm’s move to Dundee is the latest step in the rehabilitation of his career following his release by Hibs in 2009. A subsequent transfer to Ireland did not work out so the midfielder then came back to Scotland to join Arbroath in a bid to attain regular football and to put himself back in the “shop window”.
Smith monitored the 23-year-old’s progress as the Lichties clinched the third division championship last season and has now signed the free agent on a one-year deal.
“I was released by Hibs when John Hughes became the manager,” said Chisholm. “I had been offered a new contract and it was on the table when I left for holiday. But then he came in and, when I arrived back, I discovered he had decided to let me go.
“After I left Hibs, my career took a downward spiral. Because I had not expected to be let go, I had to find a club quickly and I made a last-minute decision to move to Ireland with Shamrock Rovers.
“I liked working for the manager Michael O’Neill but I just could not settle there. My agent then managed to get me in at Arbroath to put me in the shop window and hopefully secure a move like this.
“I am still young and it was a great thrill to win my first championship with Arbroath. There is a great bunch of boys at the club and the manager Paul Sheerin was someone I really enjoyed working for. Winning the league was just the icing on the cake.’Big step up'”There were one or two other teams interested at the end of the season but, when a great club the size of Dundee comes in for you, there is no point in looking elsewhere.
“It is a big step up from Arbroath but I will just have to work hard and hopefully get in the manager’s team at the start of the new campaign.
“I do not think I have a point to prove to anybody after what happened at Hibs. I am confident in my own ability and I know I am capable of playing in the SPL, as I have in the past. I would like nothing better than to get back there with Dundee.”
Smith expressed his delight at adding Chisholm to his roster and he hinted there might be room for one more new face to come in before he has reached the limit of his budget.
“I have watched Ross several times for Arbroath,” he said. “I believe he is more than capable of performing in our division and, having turned out 43 times for Hibs, he can play in the SPL as well.
“He is a hard-working midfielder and is good on the ball. I am now near the end of my budget but I am still hopeful of bringing one more in. If that happens, I will be delighted.”