Parish joins Saints

The club is delighted to announce the signing of 29-year-old 'keeper Elliott Parish on a two-year-deal.

Elliott was most recently with Dundee where he spent the past two seasons having started his career with Aston Villa before various spells with clubs south of the border.

He becomes the club's first signing of the summer transfer window and will join up with the squad when they return to pre-season training next week.

Speaking to the official website this afternoon, Elliott was clearly delighted to be continuing his career in the Ladbrokes Premiership with Saints.

"I'm absolutely made up," Elliott said, "it's been all but confirmed for a number of weeks now but I'm delighted it has all been finalised and I'm now a St. Johnstone player.

"In my two seasons in Scotland so far I've been really impressed with the club and how well they've done. Hopefully I can be a part of more success in the next few years.

"I feel I'm joining a club which is on the up and it's exciting to be here - I'm really looking forward to it."

With Zander Clark currently the first choice goalkeeper, Elliott is relishing the prospect of working with the Saints number one, the Manager and goalkeeping coach Paul Mathers.

"I think it's going to be good for both Zander and I to be working together and hopefully it can improve us both," Elliott said.

"He’s in front of me and I know that but all I can do is be the best I can and be ready if an opportunity comes along. Hopefully if I do get a chance I’ll put in performances and win over the fans.

"The Manager has been great and he's been totally honest with me from the word go. He told me the role I have and that I will have to bide my time and be patient as Zander is the club's number one.

"I really loved his honesty as it’s something that you don’t always get in football. I’m looking forward to working with him and also with the goalkeeping coach Paul Mathers.

"Paul is close to Bobby Geddes who was my coach at Dundee and he was an excellent coach - one of the best I’ve worked with. I believe Paul is in the same mould and I am excited to get to work with him too."

The Manager also spoke about his first summer signing and told the official website: "We have been looking for an experienced 'keeper as a backup to Zander.

"Obviously we have our young 'keepers Ross Sinclair and Jack Wills but the aim is to try and put Ross back out on-loan again for further experience so we needed another keeper to help the youngsters in training and put pressure on Zander.

"Elliott fits the bill. He knows the league, lives quite close by and is a good talker so I have total faith in him doing the job and look forward to working with him."