Jim Goodwin has returned to St Mirren as boss after being handed a three-year contract, the Paisley club have confirmed.

The former club captain was the clear favourite to replace Oran Kearney and Saints chairman Gordon Scott wasted little time to get the Alloa boss after parting company with the man who kept the side in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Wednesday.

In his time at Alloa, Jim managed to get the Wasps promotion from League One to the Championship via the play-offs before defying the odds last season to keep the side in the league for another season.

READ MORE: St Mirren granted permission to speak to Alloa boss Jim Goodwin

Goodwin - who skippered the Saints to their first trophy in 26 years with the 2014 League Cup triumph and made 181 appearances in the black and white stripes - said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been offered the job as manager of this great club.

 

"I had three wonderful seasons at Alloa and loved every minute of it, but the opportunity to come back to the place where I had my most memorable spell as a player was too good to turn down.

READ MORE: St Mirren confirm manager Oran Kearney's departure

"This is a very proud moment for me and one I will never take for granted. I'm looking forward to meeting the staff and players next week, and genuinely can't wait to get started."  

Chairman Gordon Scott added: "I am absolutely delighted to welcome Jim back to St Mirren.

"He was a firm fans favourite as a player here and I know he will receive terrific backing from our support as our new manager.

"I would like to thank Alloa Athletic for their co-operation in allowing us the opportunity to speak with Jim."

Read all the latest from Gazette Sport