ATHLETIC boss James McPake has described deadline day signing Xavier Benjamin as a player that "jumped out" as he declared satisfaction at a "productive" January transfer window.

Having already secured loan deals for Cardiff City central defender, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, and Blackpool forward, Brad Holmes, Dunfermline returned to the Weslsh club to snap up Benjamin.

And he has revealed that the Pars booted out a bid for full back, Josh Edwards, with English League One outfit Barnsley reportedly being the team interested.

With the deadline for Scottish clubs closing at 11.30pm last Thursday, the Pars left it late to bring in 20-year-old Benjamin, announcing his signature 15 minutes before the window closed.

Dunfermline Press:

He trained with his new team-mates on Friday and started the match against Morton on Saturday. 

Ahead of that match, McPake had said: "The business we've done over the whole window has been pretty productive.

"The ones that we have managed to get in, bearing in mind it's tough up here when you have this window that goes to the end of February as well, but to get the ones in we did - and to keep Josh Edwards, that's a massive one for us as well.

READ MORE: Pars make deadline day swoop for defender

"I'm pleased with the way we've done it. The club have been great again and we did keep working to fill the squad as best we can.

"We could see that, particularly with the injuries, that we were light at centre-back. Malachi coming in has helped with that.

"Xavier, he was one that when we were looking at Mal - obviously I knew Malachi - but he's developed a lot, so we were watching footage of him. He was one that stood out.

"He has played in the first team [for Cardiff], albeit it's been two cup games. He's played in the FA Cup and the League Cup.

"He was one that jumped out and we did a bit more digging, spoke to a few people as well and everything came back positive, along with the footage we were watching.

"In the end, it was a no-brainer."

In reference to Edwards, McPake added: "A bid was knocked back from the club, so that was a worry right up until (the window closed).

Dunfermline Press: A bid for Josh Edwards was turned down by the club.A bid for Josh Edwards was turned down by the club. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"We know how important he is, the club were great with that - David [Cook, chairman and CEO] and the board. It was quite a simple decision for them that regardless - obviously, if a daft bid comes in then of course it gets looked at. By daft, I mean a high bid.

"For what Josh is worth to us and what he can do, the club knocked that back. It shows real intent from them as well."