Kelty Hearts: Alfredo Agyeman set for Falkirk move

This afternoon, the Bairns have announced that the 23-year-old will make the move when his deal at New Central Park expires this summer.

The Ghana-born forward has been linked with several clubs, including Dunfermline, in January, but he will switch to the Falkirk Stadium for next season.

Agyeman moved to Kelty in the summer of 2021, under the management of Kevin Thomson, from BSC Glasgow, having previously turned out for Motherwell and Queen's Park.

✍️ Falkirk Football Club is delighted to announce that Alfredo Agyeman has agreed to join the club following the expiration of his contract with Kelty Hearts next month.

— Falkirk FC (@FalkirkFC) May 12, 2023

He joined the Fir Park club after he and his family left Italy, where had spent some training with Internazionale as a child, after they moved there at the age of three, in 2016.

He hit seven goals in his first season with Kelty as Thomson's team won the SPFL League Two championship in their first season after promotion from the Lowland League, and continued to impress this term.

Under Thomson's successor, John Potter, Agyeman bettered his goal tally this term, hitting 10 goals in all competitions as Kelty finished eighth in League One.

Falkirk, who trail Airdrieonians 6-2 going into the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final tomorrow, said that they were "delighted" to announce the signing of Agyeman, adding: "Alfredo adds versatility to The Bairns’ forward line, with the ability to play up front or on either wing.

"He will join up with his new teammates for the beginning of pre-season."

Agyeman isn't the only player to depart Kelty, as long-serving midfielder, Ross Philp, announced on social media that his time at New Central Park is over.

The 31-year-old, who was the last player remaining with the club from their days as a junior side, said it was "impossible to forget all the highs" he had enjoyed during his time at the club.

Kelty Hearts stalwart Ross Philp is leaving the club this summer. (Image: David Wardle.)

Philp, a PE teacher at Woodmill High School, returned to Kelty in 2017, having ended a two-year spell there in 2014 to join Bo'ness United.

As well as playing for them during their days as a junior club, Philp was part of the squad that moved to the East of Scotland League, going on to win promotion to the Lowland League, SPFL League Two, and League One.

He made 18 appearances for the club during the season, and had a spell on loan with League Two Stenhousemuir, and posted on Twitter: "From the East of Scotland league to leading the team out in League One yesterday, it’s been some journey at Kelty for me.

"Despite this season being a frustrating one, it’s impossible to forget all the high’s (sic) in my time at the club. Buzzing to see what happens next".

Agyeman and Philp's departures come as captain, Michael Tidser, takes over the managerial role from Potter, who has joined Raith Rovers as technical director.

Last month, Kelty announced that Potter, together with general manager and managing director, Dean McKenzie, and sporting director, Andrew Barrowman, would be leaving the club at the end of the season.

They had been widely reported to be part of a local consortium that were set to take a controlling stake in Raith, which was confirmed last week, and now Potter has also moved to Stark's Park.