Dunfermline have tied up experienced St Johnstone defender Kevin Rutkiewicz on a loan deal through to the end of the season.
The 30-year-old is out of contract at Perth in the summer and is keen to secure first-team football after being frozen out at McDiarmid Park in recent months.
The former Aberdeen centre-back goes straight into Jim McIntyre’s squad for their fifth-round match against his old club at Pittodrie on Sunday.
The emergency loan deal will be concluded at East End Park on Friday.
Several first division clubs had been pursuing the former Saints skipper and McIntyre was delighted he has opted for Dunfermline.
He said, “First and foremost I think Kevin’s a good footballer and an aggressive defender who leads by example.
“He’ll also be a good type to have in our dressing room and has settled in already. He’ll be in my plans for Sunday.”
Rutkiewicz led Saints back to the SPL but he has since been hampered by a medial ligament injury and a stomach muscle tear and has been unable to force his way into a defence that has posted five clean sheets in the last seven games.EagerSaints boss Derek McInnes said, “Kevin has been fit and eager to play so it has been frustrating for him recently.
“He wants to be playing again on a regular basis and I can understand that.
“Everyone at the club wishes Kevin the very best of luck at Dunfermline for the rest of the season.
“He will be a real asset to them and he will enjoy working with their manager Jim McIntyre. They are in good shape and pressing for promotion.
“Personally, I can’t thank Dinky enough for his integral role in our title-winning season when, as captain, he led by example.
“He was a vital part of that side which won us promotion two years ago.
“He is a popular lad in the dressing room so the loan move is tinged with sadness, but we all hope it works out for Kevin at Dunfermline.”