Elgin City captain Ross O’Donoghue has rejected the offer of a new contract offer from the Moray club and will join Third Division champions Dumbarton in the Second Division.
O’Donoghue, 26, follows Craig Campbell, Steven Mackay and Ally Ridgers – who all joined Nairn County – out of Borough Briggs.
Manager Ross Jack had already started the process of replacing the quartet and has challenged forwards Darren Shallicker and Kenny Wright to get fully fit in order to win new deals.
Former Aberdeen youth player O’Donoghue spent two seasons at Borough Briggs but opted to move up a league after Elgin finished bottom of the Third Division.
Jack said: “I am disappointed but I wish Ross all the best. Dumbarton are a division above us and he is an ambitious man who wants to play at a higher level.
“I had hoped maybe over the next couple of years he could have taken Elgin along with him up to that level but I fully understand his decision.
“The likes of Steven Mackay and Craig Campbell have travelled a while now with Elgin in the league. They thought it was too much and they have gone to Nairn, whether it was financial or otherwise.
“I am well down the road to replacing the players that have left. I want to promote youth at the club but the young players will not play every game and I have others in the pipeline to bring in.”
Jack started pre-season training early at Elgin last week and is encouraged with the response from his north-based players.
He said: “We had 30 in last Saturday which included a few from our under-17 and under-19 teams as well as our first-team players and a few trialists.
“I am delighted with the numbers and the commitment of the players.”
Dundee are set to continue their summer signing spree by adding midfielder Brian Kerr and forward Pat Clarke to their squad.
Former Scotland international Kerr was with Caley Thistle for the second half of last season but has turned down the chance of a long-term stay in the Highlands.
He has been in talks at Dens Park and it is understood he is close to signing up for manager Jocky Scott.
Clarke, meanwhile, is one of the players Clyde want off their books. Clarke has also been considering an offer to work under Scott.
The Dark Blues also remain hopeful of landing Partick Thistle midfielder Gary Harkins in a £100,000 deal.
Already fixed up are Richie Hart and Sean Higgins from Ross County, as well as another former Ross County man, goalkeeper Tony Bullock. Bullock quit Dingwall in January after signing a pre-contract agreement and finished the season at Montrose.