Returning Ross County midfielder Jackson Irvine says the prospect of quickly settling back into a familiar environment convinced him to join the Staggies permanently.
Irvine yesterday signed a two-year contract after making a strong impression with the Dingwall outfit on loan from Celtic last season.
The Australia international made 30 appearances for County last year, helping them achieve Premiership safety with an excellent run of 10 wins from their last 14 games, having been six points adrift at the bottom in early February.
Despite being offered a new deal by the Hoops, Irvine says there was no plan for him to remain at Parkhead, insisting the offer was a formality to ensure the Premiership champions received a development fee.
Irvine was linked with Premiership rivals Motherwell, and Championship side Hibernian, but has committed his future to County and the 22-year-old is glad to be back.
Irvine said: “There were options mentioned all the way through the month but the big thing for me was being somewhere I can recognise.
“I know the place. If I was to go somewhere else it would have been my fourth club in four years.
“At a certain age, I had to start to establish myself somewhere. I know the staff, the management and I’m just glad to be back.
“I feel a bit more settled – it is good to be finally sorted. It has been a long month or so in pre-season, trying to get everything in place.
“Celtic did offer me a new contract but it was essentially just as insurance, so that when I did leave they were liable to claim their compensation money.
“There was never really any plan for me to stay there. I was told at the very beginning I was free to move on elsewhere.
“It was just about the club sorting the financial side of it, as well as myself.”
Irvine becomes Jim McIntyre’s 12th summer addition, and the County manager believes the midfielder can earn a move to a bigger club by excelling at County.
McIntyre said: “I’m delighted to get him back. He was a pivotal part of what we did last year in helping us achieve our goals.
“He’s just desperate to come and play football. It’s taken a wee bit of time to get there but we’re really pleased. He’ll be an excellent addition and will make the team stronger.
“We’ve got a good working relationship. He knows how I like to play and what I see for him.
“The next part of Jackson’s career is to go and get 100 games under his belt because there’s no doubt in my mind he can use this as a stepping stone and play at a higher level if he does the right things.”