SHAUN WILL STAY AT LIVI
Player delighted to remain at the club next season
Shaun Byrne has committed his future to Livingston by signing a new two-year deal with the club.
The 24-year-old midfielder has been an integral part of the club’s rise from League One to the Premiership and he admits that he turned down more lucrative offers to remain in West Lothian.
Byrne has made 85 appearances for the club since arriving from Dunfermline Athletic in the summer of 2016 and has the rare distinction of winning promotion in three consecutive seasons - having clinched the League One trophy with the Pars prior to his back- to- back successes with Livi.
He becomes the first of this season’s out of contract stars to pen a new deal with the Tony Macaroni Arena outfit following the departures of Josh Mullin to Ross County and Jackson Longridge to Dunfermline Athletic.
A pleased Byrne said: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign for Livingston for another two seasons.
“I’ve loved my two years at the club and I feel I’ve really improved as a player.
“The fans have been great with me and it’s a fantastic changing room. The backroom staff are brilliant to work with and I can’t wait to play in the Premiership with this group of players next season.”
He added: “I had other offers but I feel this is the best place for me to be and I can’t wait for the new season to get started.”
Caretaker manager Davie Martindale commented: “I am absolutely delighted to secure Shaun for the next two seasons. He’s had a lot of interest for his services and I am thrilled he has chosen to continue his football development here at Livingston FC.
“Shaun is a great example to any young footballers out their looking for a role model. His application, attitude and desire shine through every day in traning, which he then carries on to the park.
“He’s a fantastic footballer and individual who epitomises everything we have built at the club. It’s another piece of the jigsaw falling into place for our journey to the Premiership.”
Byrne’s re- signing takes the number of senior players signed up for the 2018/ 19 campaign to 13 as they prepare for a first season in the Premiership for 12 years.
Meanwhile, Livingston appear set to replace Longridge, who will play alongside his brother Louis for Dunfermline next term, with Hibs youngster Callum Crane.
The left- back spent last season on loan at Alloa Athletic where he was named in the League One Team of the Year as the Wasps got promoted.