PARS have signed a midfielder who is a "real goal threat" and will be in the squad for the match at Hamilton tomorrow (Saturday).

Josh Cooper, 21, a former youth player at Morton, has agreed a one-year deal after training with Dunfermline over the summer.

He made one league cup outing at Cappielow before moving onto Broomhill, he then joined Stirling Albion in the summer of 2022 and went on to make 57 appearances for the club, netting seven goals.

Cooper played in a 2-0 bounce game win against Livingston, as Athletic had a free week, and will be in the squad for tomorrow's Championship clash against the Accies.

Pars boss James McPake said: "He has been in a while. I knew just what he could offer.

"The good thing with Josh is we know how fit he is now - he has done a lot of sessions, he has played in some of the games earlier and then got a good 60 minutes against Livingston last week as well.

"He is a real goal threat and has real energy from midfield or the attacking areas.

"I’m looking forward to getting him involved in proper football."

Josh Cooper will add a real goal threat to the Pars team, according to boss James McPake. Josh Cooper will add a real goal threat to the Pars team, according to boss James McPake. (Image: Craig Brown)

Last week's announcement from the German investors, that they were selling their stake in the club, also led to a loosening of the purse strings - McPake had made the point all summer that the squad needed reinforcements.

Cooper is the second signing in two days, following the capture on loan of Celtic goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi, but he had to be patient and knocked back other offers while he played the waiting game at the Pars.

McPake said: “Yeah, he was in at the start (of pre season) and credit to him, he has kept coming in and working away.

"He has certainly done all the work and he is ready to go. I’m just delighted that he is signed now.”

The boss praised Cooper for sticking with Dunfermline, despite the uncertainty off the field, and went on: “You can tell agents that we want something to happen here and it is understandable to get to a point where they take offers elsewhere.

"He has even knocked back offers to go in training.

"I have been open and honest with him, saying that I am desperate for him to come to Dunfermline.

"I think that there is a lot to work with there and he can help our team a lot.

“Credit to him, his agent, his family, they have listened and believed what we were telling them and thankfully for everybody it is done now.”