ST MIRREN have signed former Motherwell striker David Clarkson on a one-year deal.

The 30-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the Paisley 2021 Stadium and becomes manager Alex Rae's second summer signing following the arrival of Kyle Hutton from Queen of the South.

Clarkson made 12 appearances during that time and is now eager to help Saints build on their performances towards the end of the last campaign.

"I'm looking forward to it," Clarkson told St Mirren TV.

"We finished well last season – I was delighted to be part of that, coming here and getting some game time with a good group of lads and a good staff.

“The gaffer is obviously looking to bring people in, unfortunately a few boys have left, and it’ll be a process of getting new guys in."

Despite the overhaul in playing staff at the club, Clarkson knows the Buddies will have to start sharply if they are to avoid another poor start which saw the Paisley side stutter their way to a sixth-placed finish.

"We’ll have new boys in and it’ll be important for us to gel quickly and hopefully start the season like we finished last season.

“I felt last season went alright but there’s much more to come from me. Hopefully I can get a good pre-season, get the match sharpness and match fitness we all need and just hit the ground running.”

Clarkson began his career with Motherwell and made over 200 league appearances for the Steelmen.

The twice-capped Scotland international then moved to Bristol City in 2009 and spent three seasons at Ashton Gate, which included a loan spell with Brentford, before joining city rivals Bristol Rovers.

Clarkson opted to return north of the border at the start of the 2014/15 season to sign with Dundee ahead of his return to Fir Park last summer.