Defensive duo make Forfar Athletic return

Irvine has been busy in the transfer market over the past couple of weeks as the countdown to the new season continues.

Athletic’s pre-season friendly schedule begins next week on June 28 when League One side Dunfermline arrive at Station Park.

That gives boss Irvine another few sessions to work with his side and amongst them will be the returning Roberto Nditi and Tomas Brindley.

Nditi’s arrival back at Station Park provides the club with a massive boost and will be seen as a real statement of intent.

The defender turned heads nationally when BBC pundits awarded him the man-of-the-match award following Forfar’s narrow 1-0 defeat by Dundee United in the nationally televised last 16 Scottish Cup tie in April last year.

Several full-time sides quickly became linked with the 21-year-old but opted for Queen of the South where he played last season.

Joining Nditi in returning to Angus after having originally arrived in the early part of this year on-loan from Kilmarnock is Brindley.

By the end of the campaign he had made 13 starting appearances plus one from the bench.

After leaving Rugby Park in the summer, Irvine moved quickly to bring the defender back to the club.

Both are contracted to the club until 2024.

Forfar Athletic have been handed an opening-day visit to SPFL newcomers Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic on Saturday, July 30