Jason Thomson grateful for fresh start

The 23-year-old has penned a six-month loan deal with the Premier League newcomers in a move that suits both parties.

East End Park manager Jim McIntyre needed a new right-back for a seventh summer signing, while Thomson was desperate for action after becoming a Hearts fringe player.

The defender made just six appearances under Jim Jefferies last term - only three starts - as he played second fiddle to the likes of Eggert Jonsson, Craig Thomson and Darren Barr in the right-back pecking order.

With the versatile Jamie Hamill having arrived in Edinburgh from Kilmarnock this summer and also a candidate for the right side of defence, Thomson felt that he needed to secure regular game time elsewhere.

McIntyre has been in the market for a right-back since losing Calum Woods to Huddersfield Town and Thomson now hopes to fill the void.

He said: "It's been good of Dunfermline to take me on. I just want to play as many games as possible.

"Calum has moved on and I don't think there is a natural right-back here. I was looking to get out and play games and the manager was looking for a right-back himself, so it's helped both of us.

"Hopefully I can come in to fill the right-back gap, keep myself fit and stay in the team.

"I've not played a lot of football in the last couple of years. Being at Hearts, I've been in and out of the team.

"There are a few players that can play at Hearts at right-back. It's up to the manager, he has got his players who he wants to play.

"I just didn't want to sit for another season coming in and playing one or two games and then being out the team and coming back in a couple of months later.

"I hope Hearts go on and do well this season but my focus will be with Dunfermline."

Thomson admits he would have been happy to sign loan terms with a First Division club, so staying in the top flight has been an added bonus. Ahead of flying out with Dunfermline on Monday for their two-game tour of Austria, he added: "I thought I might have to move out on loan and I was looking down the divisions at the First Division and so on.

"I thought that is where I would be going, but this has been a great move to stay in the SPL.

"I've obviously played in the SPL with Hearts so hopefully I can bring something to the team.

"It's exceeded my expectations. I didn't expect probably to get another team in the SPL after speaking to my agent.

"I would have been fine going to the First Division as long as I was playing, but it's great I can come to Dunfermline and play."

Meanwhile, former Hearts defender Alan Maybury is staying with St Johnstone.The 32-year-old former Republic of Ireland international, who made 23 league appearances for the Perth club last season, is ready to sign a one-year contract to extend his stay at McDiarmid Park.