Campbell joins & Graham extends

Striker Ross Campbell brought in for the remainder of the season, and David Graham signs contract extension

Dunfermline Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of striker Ross Campbell until the end of the 2009/10 season. Ross, who started his career with Hibs, previously joined on a one month loan in September 2008. Following his release from Hibs in the summer Ross joined IFK Ostersund of Sweden.

Manager Jim McIntyre was delighted to find an out of contract striker that he could bring in outside the transfer window, especially given the long term injury to Graham Bayne and a strain that will limit Andy Kirk for few more games:-

"We felt that we were short in that area and Ross is a player we know. He has been training with us and it is obvious that he has kept himself fit and in good shape.  We were disappointed when he returned to Hibs after being on loan to us in 2008 but I can understand the reasons.

"It is a great chance for him to earn a longer contract and deal, hopefully it will turn out right for both parties."

Ross was glad to be given the chance of a return to football, after 3 months in the football wilderness, "I returned to Scotland in November from Sweden, and it's been difficult. I was training with Ayr United for a couple of months but nothing looked like it would happen in the way of a contract, like most clubs their budgets are filled at this time of the season. It's a great opportunity for me here and hopefully I'll prove myself enough to get a longer deal."

Ross Campbell scores for Pars v Morton 27/09/08

The 22 year old favours the striking role but he can play on the right side of midfield as well. Capped at both U20 and U21 level for Scotland Campbell has scored a couple of goals for the U21's. He was a massive hit for the Scotland U20 side, scoring 5 goals in 9 games and also played at the 2007 U20 World Cup in Canada, scoring one goal, against Japan. Now he is to encounter his first taste of the SFL.

Following the return at Easter Road of Derek Riordan in a £400,000 move from Celtic, Campbell saw his chances of first team football slip, pushing him further down the pecking order behind Riordan, Steven Fletcher, Colin Nish and on loan Steven Pinau.

Campbell made his debut for the Hibees against Kilmarnock in 2007 when John Collins was manager, he went on to make 13 appearances, most of them from the bench.

David Graham also put pen to paper on Thursday 18th February to extend to his contract at the club until the end of the 2011/12 season. The on form attacker has scored five goals so far this season. Jim McIntyre was pleased to secure 26 year old Davie's services for another two seasons:-

"Davie is an important member of our squad and he started the season on fire. Injury forced him out for eight weeks and he has taken a wee while to get back to that form but recently he has hit fit again.

"He is a great boy to have about the place and he is an important member of our squad as we try to build a young exciting team.  He plays with pace, he is direct, quick and can be really dangerous."

A product of Denny FC and Dunipace Juniors, the 5 ft 7in forward started his senior career at Stenhousemuir before moving on to Stranraer, Gretna and then Hamilton. Gretna signed Graham for £75,000 from Stranraer in January 2005. He scored six times as Gretna won promotion but did not taste SPL football until he arrived at Hamilton.  He moved to Accies initially on loan and then made the deal permanent in January 2008. David chipped in with a couple of crucial goals during Accies run-in that season.

Davie joined Dunfermline on 20th January 2009 and the Stirling born player is not to be confused with the player of the same name who played with the Pars from November 1998 to the end of the 2000-01 season. That David Graham was signed from Rangers and is still only 31. He is a man of many clubs having gone on to Inverness Caley Thistle, Torquay, Wigan, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield, Bradford, Gillingham and Lincoln City.

David Graham v Celtic, Scottish Cup 7th February 2010