BEITH Juniors have announced their first signing of the summer - and it was one worth waiting for.

The Mighty confirmed earlier this week that central defender Ricky Little would be joining the Bellsdale Park club.

He brings with him plenty of pedigree, having enjoyed an outstanding career to date in the senior leagues of Scottish football.

Little arrives having spent the last 11 years with Arbroath - some 125 miles away from his North Ayrshire home.

However, it was a travel worth making with the defender becoming a club legend at Gayfield.

He made just short of 400 appearances for the club, a time which coincided with the most successful spell in their history.

Little was part of The Lichties side who won both the Scottish League Two and League One titles.

He was also a mainstay at the heart of the club's defence when Arbroath punched above their weight as a part-time club, coming agonisingly close to securing promotion to the Premiership in 2021-22.

He left Angus at the end of last season as the club were relegated to League One.

(Image: Beith Juniors)

Now, Little is raring to go with Chris Strain's side as they look to win a third consecutive title in the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL) Premier Division.

A club spokesperson said: "Beith Juniors are delighted to announce the signing of defender Ricky Little. He will fit in well at the back-to-back champions.

"He made 382 Appearances for Arbroath having previously had spells at Queens Park and Partick Thistle, racking up over 500 senior appearances overall.

"We are sure that this will be welcome news to our supporters who will look forward to welcoming Ricky to The Mighty when the new season gets underway."

The signing comes after further departures were announced from Beith.

Winger Aaron Mason is set to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of this month.

While a permanent transfer has been agreed which has seen Danny O'Neil depart to join Johnstone Burgh.