ATHLETIC have bolstered their squad ahead of tomorrow's Championship clash at Partick Thistle by signing trialist midfielder Craig Clay.

The former Motherwell player, who has been training at KDM Group East End Park in recent weeks, has penned a one-year deal, and could be in the squad for the trip to Firhill.

He played as a trialist in a reserve match against Queen's Park last month, scoring in a 2-0 win, and Pars boss, James McPake, was keen to strike a deal to bring him to the club.

That has now happened, and Clay commented: "I'm over the moon.

"I've been in three, four weeks now. The lads have all made me feel welcome, staff's been as good as gold, so I'm just delighted to get it over the line.

Dunfermline Press:

"It's been good. Like I say, the lads have made me feel part of the group. I've had a little car school with four or five of the lads, so I've felt part of it from the get go.

"Obviously it's been tough, being the trial period, trying to showcase yourself, but, like I say, it's all done and dusted now, so I'm just delighted and I want to get back out playing on Saturdays."

Clay had a one-year stint with Motherwell, where he was team-mates with Pars midfielder, Joe Chalmers, before moving on to Leyton Orient and, most recently, Sutton United.

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He has turned out for a number of other clubs south of the border and boss McPake said: "Since he's come in he's been excellent.

"He's worked really hard and, credit to him to be fair.

"He's played in a bounce game against Livingston out there, he also played in a reserve game.

"Sometimes when players do come in, there's a worry, there's a fear, of injury or whatever, but Craig has trained every single day.

"As I said, he played in those games, and we've all been really impressed with him over the period he's been in. I'm delighted to get it over the line."

Prior to Clay's arrival being announced, Dunfermline revealed that young midfielder, Andrew Tod, has joined League Two East Fife on loan.

The 18-year-old, will move to New Bayview on a season-long basis, subject to SFA registration, for what will be a second temporary stint away from the Pars, having played for Elgin City during the latter part of the 2022/23 campaign.

Tod has played six times for Athletic this season, including against his loan side in the recent SPFL Trust Trophy tie between the clubs, and McPake added: "Andrew is a good young player.

"He has had games in the first team, he has started games and been an important player for us over our time here in the spells he has come on or has started. I just believe with the younger ones it is really beneficial to get them out on-loan, get them playing and experiencing not just first team football but a different environment.

"I do see Andrew Tod being a first team player at Dunfermline over the next wee while and he will go and have a fantastic career if he keeps working away."