Airdrieonians FC are tonight delighted to announce we have agreed terms with highly-rated striker Andy Ryan in a deal that will keep him at the Club until May 2018. 

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The former Hamilton Accies hitman went through a medical at our Ravenscraig training base before pledging his future to  the Diamonds. 

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And after a tour of the complex he sat down to tell airdriefc.com: “This is a great club and a well-run club and I am back playing full-time football which has been my goal since I left Hamilton Accies. 

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“My spell at Forfar in the last five months of this season was always about getting game time again and I feel the nine goals I scored in 16 games justified going there.” 

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Andy played together with new Diamonds’ first-team coach Kevin McBride when Barra was at Accies. 

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And he revealed: “My talks with Kevin have been a big part of me signing, I knew he was being promoted as first-team coach and he has spoken so well of the plans and the people here. 

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“I was so impressed when I met him and the chairman Tom Wotherspoon and I remember how big an influence Kevin was on the younger players at Accies when he was there, he was always trying to help us.” 

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Andy had trained at Ravenscraig in the past but was knocked out by his tour of the strength and conditioning area, the Diamonds’ team rooms and the analysis suite. 

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He smiled: “Looking round Ravenscraig tonight was a huge boost, what a place this will be to come to your work every day! 

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“I am buzzing and I am raring to go. I have had a taste of League One and I have the lumps and bruises to prove it. 

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“I welcome that side of the game but I know we will be looking to get the ball down and play and I am looking forward to that.” 

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Andy’s goals at Forfar confirmed his promise as a striker on the rise and the Club are delighted he will now look to fulfil that in a Diamonds shirt. 

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He reflected: “When I left full-time football it was a massive change. Football had been my life since I was 15 then all of a sudden you are part-time. 

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“I was desperate to get that life back and that was a huge factor in coming here to be honest. 

 

“I know the ambitions the club have and I just want to be a first-choice striker and get on the goal trail as early as possible. That’s my aim for the Airdrieonians fans.” 

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Andy’s arrival comes after the departures of Jamie Bain, Sean Crighton, Alan Lithgow, Jordan Morton, Caolan McAleer and Nicky Cadden. 

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The Club has been working hard behind the scenes and we will announce more signing news at 10am tomorrow morning as the squad-building process continues ahead of the start of pre-season training at Ravenscraig on Thursday June 9.