CITY manager Ross Jack has moved swiftly to secure the bulk of the squad which helped steer the Black and Whites to their best-ever SFL campaign.

Nine of the out-of-contract players who clinched fourth place in the Irn-Bru Third Division and a first play-off slot have put pen to paper on new deals.

David Niven, Mark Nicolson, Craig Gunn, Paul McMullan, Paul Millar, Graeme Beveridge, Ross O'Donoghue and young midfield powerhouse Brian Cameron have joined already contracted Stuart Leslie ahead of the new season.

Jack's hopes of mounting another promotion challenge were further boosted by persuading much-heralded midfielder Daniel Moore to accept a new one-year offer to stay at Borough Briggs.

The City boss has also moved smartly to replace Zander Clark, who has returned to St Johnstone along with Mark Durnan after their loan spells, by fixing up Dundee keeper John Gibson on a second loan deal.

Apart from the departure of the Perth pair, on-loan Ross County's Archie MacPhee and Alex Cooper have returned to the Dingwall club and attacker Jason Crooks has ended his four-year stay at Borough Briggs by joining Division Two Albion Rovers.

Also leaving are midfielder Blair Lawrie and keeper John Calder, while talks are still ongoing with club captain Paul Kaczan – sidelined through injury since early November – who may require surgery for back and knee problems.