Calum Woods hopes to achieve a dream double by winning back-to-back promotions after signing a two-year deal with Huddersfield Town.
The 24-year-old Liverpudlian was an integral part of Dunfermline’s first division-winning side last season but his contract ran out at the end of last month.
Pars boss Jim McIntyre offered a new deal but was resigned to losing the defender when English League One side Huddersfield declared an interest in him.
Those fears were realised on Wednesday when Woods was officially unveiled at the Terriers’ Galpharm Stadium.
Now, the former Liverpool youth player is determined to help Huddersfield who lost out in last month’s play-offs to Peterborough take the step up to the Championship while declaring his old outfit can make a big impact in the SPL next season.
He said, “It was something I had to think long and hard about as I have a big emotional attachment to Dunfermline after being there for five years.
“I enjoyed every minute of my time at the club with the highlight being winning promotion to the SPL last season.
“That is something which will stay with me forever.”
He added, “I will miss all the boys at the club as it is a tight-knit group and we have a really close relationship.
“They should do well next season in the SPL as there are a lot of good players there and the gaffer has already made some new signings which should improve the squad even further.”‘No competition’Woods said, “The gaffer tried to convince me to stay but it was difficult when the chance to play for Huddersfield came up.
“They are obviously playing at a high level in England and there was the added attraction of the fact that it is only an hour’s drive from my home city of Liverpool.
“My family still live there and I went down last week to discuss things with my dad as well as my agent.
“I now intend to work really hard in pre-season to hit the ground running and hopefully force my way into the starting 11. I know it will be hard though as there are a lot of good players at the club.
“However, I would like nothing better than to win back-to-back promotions next season by helping Huddersfield step up to the Championship.”
McIntyre said, “As soon as an English club comes in, there’s no competition.
“But we wish Calum well as he has been an integral part of the team since I became manager.”
Meanwhile, Dunfermline have reported 1800 fans have already bought season tickets, sales which club chairman John Yorkston described as “fantastic.”
“We have deliberately kept our SPL pricing for next season very competitive and we do want to encourage our younger fans which is why we have kept under-fives free and frozen our under-12s prices,” he said.
“I cannot stress how fantastic it will be if we can increase our season ticket holders and build on the superb support that was evident at some of our more recent games.”