Pars sign goalkeeper

Manager "absolutely delighted" as former St Mirren stopper, Chris Smith joins Pars third time in eight months.

Dunfermline Athletic have signed goalkeeper Chris Smith on a one year deal from St Mirren. The 24 year old keeper was previously on loan at Dunfermline for nine matches over a two stint spell last season. For Manager Jim McIntyre this third signing for 2010-11, ends a pre season man hunt:-

"I have spent most of the summer pursuing Chris and I am absolutely delighted to have captured him.  He is a top goalkeeper and he will get better and better. 

"It is a position that is vital to us because a good goalkeeper can make you 12 to 15 points in a season."

Pars keeper Greg Paterson broke his leg break in March against Dundee but had the pins in his leg successfully removed on Tuesday.  Jim McIntyre has signed Smith to make him number one choice with back up from newly signed, Kyle Allison and Paterson.   Macca added:-

"It is up to Chris to stay number one, he knows that he needs to play well."

St Mirren only started pre season training on Wednesday but Chris who is expected at Pitreavie on Thursday has been doing a close season programme that was handed out by the Paisley club.

Following first team goalkeeper Greg Fleming fracturing a finger on 30th November 2009, Dunfermline Athletic were delighted to sign goalkeeper Chris Smith from St Mirren on an emergency loan deal until 17 January 2010. Chris went straight into the team that played against Queen of the South in the First Division the following night.

Injured after just three games, the keeper returned to St Mirren with a broken foot but then when Greg Paterson broke his leg in March it was Chris who came back for the final six games of the season. His nine Pars appearances brought just one shut out achieved in the final game of the season at Airdrie.

Chris progressed through the youth ranks at St Mirren becoming the first choice goalkeeper. However, following a serious knee ligament injury in 2009 St Mirren signed former Pars goalkeeper Paul Gallacher meaning Chris' first team opportunities have been limited this season. Chris has made 76 league appearances for St Mirren since making his debut on 30 April 2005.

Smith's last game in a St Mirren jersey was that famous 1-0 Scottish Cup sixth round win over Celtic in March 2009. He was then sidelined by a serious knee injury after he had to go under the surgeon's knife and part of the procedure involved taking a replacement ligament from his hamstring and inserting it through his shin and on to his knee.

Welcome back to East End Park Chris.