Stirling Albion have made vastly-experienced midfielder Marc Laird their fifth new signing of the summer while striker Dylan Bikey has agreed a new deal for next season.
Laird moves to Forthbank from Edinburgh City, where he had been a regular for the past five years while Bikey will be hoping to make a big impact after an injury-disrupted season.
Laird joins fellow new recruits Ray Grant (Alloa Athletic), Martin McNiff (Clyde), Adam Cummins (Stranraer), Nathan Flanagan (Annan Athletic) and Dale Carrick (Airdrieonians).
Manager Kevin Rutkiewicz said: “Marc is a player who has always impressed me and offers us something different – he will bring great experience and game management to the team and you don’t play as many games in England as he did without being a good player.
“Dylan had a frustrating season because of injury but I believe he is ready to really push on and we all know what he is capable of. I’m excited to have him back and I’m sure the fans are too.”
Laird, 35, has had a varied and interesting career, having started out as a youth player with Manchester City, who loaned him to Northampton Town and Port Vale during his time there. He joined Millwall in January 2008 and made 75 league appearances for the London club.
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He then had loan stints with Brentford and Walsall before a switch to Leyton Orient and he also played for Southend United, Tranmere Rovers and Yeovil Town before moving north of the border to sign for his hometown club Edinburgh City in September 2016.
A key player in their team over the past few years, Laird made 18 appearances in 2020/21 as the Citizens reached the play-offs but it was announced at the end of May that he would be leaving Ainslie Park when his current contract expired.
Bikey, 26, first came to prominence when he rattled in nine goals in nine games midway through the 2016/17 season and earned a move to Hearts. He returned to Forthbank for 2019/20 but missed most of last term following knee surgery, although he featured during the run-in.
Meanwhile, Cammy Thomson has left the club to join East of Scotland League side Linlithgow Rose. The 21-year-old, who can play at left-back or in midfield, had been at Forthbank since moving from St Johnstone in the 2017/18 season but his appearances were limited last term.
Rutkiewicz added: “Cammy is a player I like but it’s important for his development that he gets regular first-team football and we wish him all the very best at Linlithgow.”
