Dunfermline have struck an agreement with Dundee United to extend the loan contract of striker Jordan Moore.
The 19-year-old joined the Pars in July along with fellow Tannadice youngsters Luke Johnston and Ryan Ferguson but SPFL rule changes mean the Fifers are now permitted to hang on to only one of the trio.
East End Park manager Jim Jefferies revealed yesterday he has held talks with United counterpart Jackie McNamara and reached a deal to retain the services of Moore for the remainder of the season.
Johnston, a defender, has already returned to Tayside, while Dunfermline would be interested in another short-term agreement for Ferguson should the winger feel his future lies away from Tannadice permanently.
Jefferies explained: “We could only keep one, so we’ve had a chat with Jackie and we’re happy to keep Jordan Moore.
“We’re always a wee bit more short up front. We’ve got the presence of Ryan Thomson, who scored on Saturday, but Jordan has always come on and made an impact. He’s only young and there will be times when Thommo’s not available.
“We’re not there yet but we would like to keep Jordan and Jackie has agreed to that.”
Meanwhile, Jefferies hopes everyone associated with the club can enjoy the Christmas break after seeing his young side bring a “feel-good factor” back to East End Park.
This time last year the Pars were facing an uncertain future following months of wage delays affecting players and staff, and things were only about to get worse as they were pushed into administration and to the brink of extinction in the months that followed.
Twelve months on, however, the Pars are under new ownership, have exited administration and are on course for a spot in the promotion play-offs at the end of the season as they seek to bounce back from relegation at the first attempt.
With the Pars players now off for a couple of days before preparations for Monday’s home game against Rangers begin, Jefferies reckons his team can take great pride in what they have achieved up until now.
“We have had to deal with a lot and the players had to deal with a lot at this time last year,” he noted.
“But since getting through to the Scottish Cup tie against Rangers you can sense a great feel-good factor about Dunfermline Athletic Football Club just now.
“We are out of administration, we have a good young side, good form and Pars United people have been great. They have got all the players sorted out in terms of plans that we wanted in place.
“The supporters deserve a lot of credit too and there is a right feel-good factor and Dunfermline Athletic Football Club is a great place to be at the moment.
“It is hard to say that after what we have been through, but hopefully this is the start of something. We’re starting again re-building the club and we certainly have a great young side with a great support behind them.
“There is plenty back up support coming from everybody and it is absolutely terrific.”
The Pars fans have certainly played their part in improving the club’s outlook over the last 12 months and Jefferies hopes to see a large home crowd turn out on Monday to cheer his side on against Rangers in the league.
Well over 800 fans have already signed up to the club’s Centenary Club Lifeline scheme and chairman Bob Garmory has already suggested that the initial target of 1,000 sign ups is now a “distinct possibility” rather than a “distant prospect”.
That sort of news has been music to the ears of Jefferies, who hopes the club’s board will be able to free up some cash when the transfer embargo is lifted at the end of this month.
“The fans have been terrific and some of the things that have been going on are incredible,” he concluded.
“It’s just fantastic the way they have rallied around the club and they are still doing it.”