RENFREW have snapped up last season’s Vale of Leven top scorer, Scott Arthur, as they continue their preparations for next season.

Negotiations between the clubs had been long and drawn out with the Millburn Park side holding out for a fee after Arthur penned a deal to extend his stay before ‘Frew came in with a bid.

Vale boss Hugh Hamill had originally rebuffed Colin Clark’s advances but a deal was eventually struck midweek, allowing Arthur to take to the field and score the equaliser in the weekend’s draw with Port Glasgow.

Renfrew boss Clark admitted he was delighted to have finally landed his man.

He said: “It was brutal trying to get Scott in and we have had to pay a fee, but hopefully all the hard work is worth it and he can score a few goals for us this season.” “The squad is a bit light but we have made some additions.

“We have brought in two new keepers in Mark Baird and Dale Burgess who both played on Saturday as well as Fraser Chisholm and Chris Morgan.” Meanwhile, Vale boss Hugh Hamill insisted he was disappointed to see his top scorer leave the club following a successful spell.

Hamill couldn’t deny the forward will be a big loss to his side this season, adding: “I think he scored 22 goals last season so I didn’t want to him to go but they are in a higher league than us and they play closer to his house so it is just one of those things.

“We did get a fee so that is something but I would rather have the player than the fee.

“He was our top goalscorer so it is a big void to fill.”