KELTY HEARTS have secured a triple signing boost as they continue to rebuild their squad for next season's League One campaign.
New player / boss, Michael Tidser, yesterday (Wednesday) swooped to secure the services of former Clyde forward, Ross Cunningham; Stenhousemuir defender, Adam Corbett; and experienced Forfar Athletic wide man, Stefan McCluskey.
The trio have put pen to paper at New Central Park following the expiration of their contracts with their previous clubs, and follow on from Tidser's first acquisition, goalkeeper Kyle Gourlay, who arrived from Cove Rangers.
Having consolidated in the third tier, in their first season in the division since winning League Two, it is set to be a summer of change at New Central Park.
READ MORE: Outgoing Kelty manager's Raith move confirmed
With previous boss, John Potter, taking up a role as technical director at Raith Rovers, following a consortium, including ex-Kelty managing director and general manager, Dean McKenzie, and sporting director, Andrew Barrowman, acquiring a controlling stake in the Kirkcaldy club, team captain Tidser was handed his first managerial role.
He has moved to tie down experienced defenders, Tam O'Ware and Jason Thomson, on new contracts, but lost a host of last season's squad.
Forward, Alfredo Agyeman, has agreed to join Falkirk, whilst club stalwart, Ross Philp, Joe Cardle, Kallum Higginbotham, Jamie Barjonas, Dougie Hill, Lewis Martin, Reis Peggie and Darren Jamieson all left with their contracts up.
READ MORE: Kelty Hearts announce player departures
Loan players, Kanayo Megwa, Jack Milne and Arron Darge also departed, whilst, earlier this week, the club accepted a bid from East Fife for striker, Nathan Austin, who has returned to his former club.
READ MORE: Striker 'Fash' makes Kelty Hearts exit
Tidser, however, has begun the process of rebuilding, with Cunningham the first of three signings unveiled yesterday.
🖊️ 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥
— Kelty Hearts FC 🇱🇻 (@KeltyHeartsFC) May 24, 2023
Kelty Hearts are delighted to announce Ross Cunningham has agreed to join the club following the expiration of his contract at Clyde
𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: https://t.co/r2u0jkXFsl#newsignings #onecommunityoneclub pic.twitter.com/YveMRmhDzg
The 24-year-old, scored 10 times for Clyde as the Bully Wee failed to stave off relegation - they went down after a defeat to Annan Athletic in the League One play-off final - and netted three against Kelty, including a brace in a 3-0 win in August.
Corbett, also 24, began his career with Spartans, coming through the Edinburgh club's youth system, before joining Stenhousemuir in February 2021.
The centre back made 39 appearances for the Warriors during the season just finished, scoring once, and bolsters Tidser's defensive options.
🖊️ 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥
— Kelty Hearts FC 🇱🇻 (@KeltyHeartsFC) May 24, 2023
Kelty Hearts are delighted to announce that Adam Corbett has agreed to join the club following the expiration of his contract at Stenhousemuir FC
𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: https://t.co/er03PxoOzD#OneCommunityOneClub
⚽️❤️🇱🇻 pic.twitter.com/YmIuMig4xT
Kelty's third and final deal of the deal was to bring in McCluskey, a former team-mate of Tidser's at Greenock Morton.
The experienced and versatile player, 32, has previously turned out for the likes of Clyde, Peterhead, Alloa Athletic and Dumbarton, before joining Forfar in the summer of 2021.
He made 40 appearances for the Loons last term, scoring eight times.
🖊️ 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐜𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥
— Kelty Hearts FC 🇱🇻 (@KeltyHeartsFC) May 24, 2023
Kelty Hearts FC are delighted to announce the Stefan McCluskey has agreed to join the club following the expiration of his Contract at Forfar Athletic,
𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: https://t.co/FRe4KrURaW#NewSignings pic.twitter.com/pxXhsC21bL
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here