Stirling Albion manager Kevin Rutkiewicz this week made experienced defender Martin McNiff his second new signing of the summer.
The 29-year-old former Dumbarton and Annan Athletic man, who can play in the centre of defence or at left-back, joins the Binos after five years with Clyde.
He is the second new arrival for season 2021/22 after ex-Clyde midfielder Ray Grant made the move from Alloa Athletic.
McNiff made 24 appearances in all competitions for Danny Lennon’s men in 2020/21 but was among those released by the Bully Wee.
His most eye-catching season for Clyde was in 2018/19 when he helped them win promotion to League 1 via the play-offs and contributed 11 goals.
Rutkiewicz said: “Martin is a player I’ve long admired and I’m delighted to be able to bring him to our club. He has key attributes that we identified as fitting in with how we want to work as a team.
“He will join a squad that is strong and add his qualities and experience. His desire to join up was a real driving factor. His arrival gives us good options in defence and he has also shown he can chip in with goals from set-pieces.”
Chairman Stuart Brown added: “Since Clyde announced his departure, Martin hasn’t been short of offers from other clubs and the club board is delighted that Kevin has managed to persuade him that Forthbank is the right place to ‘ply his trade’ next season.”
Rutkiewicz is hoping to further add to his squad in the near future and has retained former Bannockburn Amateurs forward Sean Heaver for next season.
The 28-year-old joined two years ago and is a popular figure among the support. Often used as an impact player, Heaver made 14 appearances last term and chipped in with two goals.
Last season’s top scorer Andy Ryan and Dylan Mackin are under contract but Rutkiewicz is looking to add to his attacking options after it was announced that Declan Byrne had left Forthbank to join League 2 rivals Albion Rovers, along with midfielder David Wilson and defender Aldin El-Zubaidi.
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Byrne joined Stirling from the Coatbridge club last summer after an 11-goal campaign and was in fine form in the first half of the season. However, he was less influential in the second phase and his goal against Stranraer on May 1 was his first since December and his fourth in League 2 overall.
Wilson was snapped up from Annan two years ago and showed his quality with his range of passing in the middle of the park while he also had an eye for a goal from distance.
El-Zubaidi signed for Stirling last October after a spell without a club and enjoyed a good run in the team before picking up an injury, although he returned for the last couple of matches when Rutkiewicz’s side were hit with a number of injuries.
