Former United striker leaves Dons for Buddies

Former Dundee United striker Cammy Smith has confessed the prospect of regular football under Jack Ross convinced him to turn down the chance of a new contract at Aberdeen to make his switch to St Mirren a permanent one.

The 21-year-old has penned a two-year deal with the Buddies after spending the second half of the season on loan from his hometown team.

The Scotland under-21 cap was joined yesterday by Gary MacKenzie in committing himself to the Paisley outfit, with the towering defender agreeing a 12-month contract extension after helping the club to Championship safety.

And manager Ross has also moved to snap up former United midfielder Evan Horne after he was freed by Dunfermline.

Smith, who played 89 times for Aberdeen and played 22 times in a sixmonth loan spell at Tannadice, joined St Mirren in January and, after scoring twice in 17 appearances, has confessed he got the bug for regular football.

He said: “I knew there was going to be a day when I would have to move on from Aberdeen to get regular game-time.

“I grew up in Aberdeen as an Aberdeen fan and I’ve been at the club since I was eight. I loved my time at the club and I’ve got some great memories.

“But everybody moves on and I knew to further my career I would have to go elsewhere.

“I had a chat with Derek McInnes last week at Pittodrie and we agreed if I was happy to go to St Mirren then that would be the best thing.

“There was the slight option to sign another year at Aberdeen and then go on loan but signing a two-year deal at St Mirren was the best move for me just now.

“I’m at the stage where I need to play 30 to 40 games a season and add some goals, and hopefully I can do that at St Mirren.”

Cammy Smith scored five goals during a loan spell with Dundee United.