Craigen back at Gayfield on three-year contract

Arbroath have secured the signing of midfielder James Craigen on a threeyear deal.

The 29-year-old joined the Lichties on loan from English National League side AFC Fylde in January and impressed in his four outings before football was halted on March 13 due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The former Partick Thistle, Raith Rovers, Dunfermline and Falkirk star subsequently attracted interest from north and south of the border.

However, he has opted to remain at Gayfield in what is a major coup for the Championship parttimers.

Craigen becomes Arbroath’s first signing of the summer.

He tweeted: “Delighted to be back. Looking forward to the next chapter at the club.”

Arbroath chairman Mike Caird said: “Even in the short period of time James was at the club, he made a real impression on and off the pitch and became a popular figure.

“I am delighted that Dick Campbell has convinced James to return.”

Campbell, who had Craigen as a loan player at Forfar early in his career, monitored the midfielder’s position over the summer and as soon as he was aware that he was not being offered a new deal by Fylde he made his move.

The Gayfield boss said: “I have been working on this for a while and I am delighted that it has came off.

“James is a quality player who we did not see enough of last season but we will over the next few years.

“It says a lot about the progress Arbroath have made as a club in that we can sign a player of James’ calibre on a permanent basis.

“He knows the Championship well and indeed has spent most of his career in the top half of the Championship.”