Gary completes a trio of new signings

Manager Gary Irvine has commenced the rebuilding of his squad for the season ahead and beyond with confirmation that three players have put pen to paper on two year contracts with the ‘Loons.’

With pre-season training due to start in mid-June, the new manager is keen to make early progress on the player recruitment front and is delighted with the fact that the trio listed below were all keen to commit their future this early in the close season to the club.

MATTHEW AITKEN – In this instance it a case of a return to the fold for 23-year-old striker Matty Aitken after a successful one-season stint at Albion Rovers where he was a regular in Brian Reid’s side who have a very impressive ending to the campaign.

Matty first joined the ‘Loons’ on an amateur form back in 2015, signing his first professional contract a year later.  His most impressive season in Forfar colours was 2017/18 when he made 22 starting appearances as well as 11 as a sub, netting 7 goals including a memorable double at Somerset Park. 

Following a loan spell at Elgin City he was released twelve months back by Stuart Malcolm and after gaining without a doubt valuable League 2 experience at Cliftonhill, Gary was keen to bring him back to Station Park.

PAUL CROSSAN – Paul (PJ) Crossan began his senior career as a youngster at Dunfermline Athletic before a three-year spell with Celtic.   The 24-year-old forward had loan spells with both Alloa Athletic and Stranraer while at Parkhead before joining Dumbarton in the summer of 2019.    Motherwell based PJ went on to make over 40 appearances in two truncated seasons with Jim Duffy’s side and again Gary is delighted with his decision to accept the ‘Loons’ contract offer.

CRAIG SLATER – The 27-year-old midfielder player who represented his country on 25 occasions at Under 16, 17, 19 and 21 levels arrives at Station Park after a one year stint at League 2 champions Queens Park.

He began his senior career with Kilmarnock, making over 70 first-team appearances before moving south of the border for a two-season stay at Colchester United.   During his spell down in Essex, he had a short loan period back in Scotland at Dundee United, prior to a permanent move to Partick Thistle.

Craig has been a prime target for Gary over the past few weeks and again he is delighted to get him on board.

A warm welcome to all three players.

The club hopes to be able to confirm another signing no later than the beginning of the week while talks continue with a handful of other potential additions.