Pars swoop for freed Saints defender Comrie

Dunfermline have secured their second signing in the space of 24 hours by snapping up St Johnstone defender Aaron Comrie.

The 22-year-old, who was on the books of Celtic as a youngster, made 16 senior appearances for the Perth Saints after joining in 2015 but struggled to cement a regular first-team berth, only featuring for Tommy Wright’s side twice this season.

Comrie has also enjoyed loan stints with Montrose – for whom he notched his only professional goal to date – and Peterhead.

It was announced he would depart McDiarmid Park when his contract expired this summer.

And Pars boss Stevie Crawford has wasted no time in pouncing, tying Comrie to a one-year deal with the option for a further season.

The capture of Comrie follows hot on the heels of former Dundee United and Ross County marksman Ryan Dow joining the Fifers for next term, with Crawford starting the rebuilding process at East End Park in earnest.

Pars, however, could miss out on Stranraer’s in-demand midfielder Kyle Turner as they are reluctant to pay a fivefigure development fee to the Stair Park side and the youngster could end up heading south as a result.

Crawford is keen on the 21-year-old son of former St Johnstone, midfielder Tommy Turner.

Meanwhile, former Dunfermline full back Ryan Williamson has signed for Partick Thistle.

Dunfermline will meet Forfar Athletic in a preseason friendly at Station Park on Saturday June 29, with a 2pm kick-off.