Dunfermline have re-signed midfielder Nat Wedderburn on a new one-year deal as they prepare to bring the curtain down on the season against Queen of the South this afternoon.
The former Inverness Caley Thistle, Cowdenbeath and Stoke City player joined the Pars last summer and, after an injury and suspension-hit settling in period, has played in every game since the turn of the year.
Manager Allan Johnston will now turn his attentions to the rest of his out-of-contract players.
He said: “Over the last six months, Nat has really shown his potential.
“Maybe coming to a new club, it took him a wee while to get going at the start of the season or maybe not playing a lot of games last year, maybe not being at the fitness levels that he should have been by missing a bit of pre-season.
“But he really kicked on and was a massive player for us. He has a real physical presence but he has also got skill as well, and can pass the ball.
“Having somebody of his qualities at his age as well – he is another one who is at a really good age – then it is a really good signing.”
A number of other key figures, such as skipper Andy Geggan, creative force Kallum Higginbotham, on-loan pair John Herron and Paul McMullan, and stalwart defender Jason Talbot, are also out of contract this summer.
And goalkeeper Sean Murdoch, who has another year left on his deal, is hopeful the squad can be kept together as they target a promotion push next term.
He said: “We’ve got a very good team here and it’s up to the manager but hopefully he can keep the majority of us together.
“People have their own demands and their own goals as well, but hopefully most of my team-mates can stick around next season and if they do, with a few additions, I’m sure we’ll do well.”
The Pars will finish fifth with a win or a draw away to Queens this afternoon and that would represent a decent return on a season that began very shakily after promotion from League One.
Murdoch added: “We still have things to play for, it’s not going to be a meaningless game, especially not for us.
“There’s fifth place, which I would imagine means more money for the club, and the players have win bonuses as well.
“There’s one more game to go and hopefully we can finish on a high note.”
