Elgin City manager Gavin Price says securing winger Conor O’Keefe on a new one-year deal was key to his plans for next season.
O’Keefe made 23 appearances for the Black and Whites last season, after making the switch from Stranraer 12 months ago.
Price revealed Paisley-born O’Keefe had offers closer to the central belt, but however he is pleased the former St Mirren player has agreed to remain at Borough Briggs for another season.
Price said: “Conor was quite in demand. I’m delighted he has decided to stay because he’s important to the way we play.
“I made him well aware of that, and he knows the style of football we play and it suits his game.
“Sometimes it’s not the best decision to keep jumping clubs. He had a good season and I’m glad he’s made that decision.”
O’Keefe was sidelined for a three-month period shortly after joining City after damaging ankle ligaments, however Price felt the 21-year-old was gathering momentum prior to last season being ended due to coronavirus.
Price added: “Conor was frustrated that last season was quite stop-start for him, but we could see the quality he’s got when he was playing.
“Wide players are not always involved in the game so much, but his pace in those areas worries teams. That’s something I was really keen to make sure we had in the team.”
Price remains hopeful of tying down other out of contract players, with discussions ongoing with Stephen Bronsky, Russell Dingwall and Rabin Omar.
Price added: “Hopefully there are one or two more we can get re-signed. There are one or two others we can hopefully get in and then we will be complete.
“We are hopefully quite close with Stephen Bronsky and Russell Dingwall, while we are still speaking to Rabin Omar.
“We will wait and see what happens over the next couple of weeks with that, as it’s a difficult one just now.”
