First Team
Stevie May returns to Saints
29th August 2019
The Club is delighted to announce the signing of striker Stevie May on a two-year-deal with the option of a further year.
The 26-year-old front man returns to Perth where he was an integral part of the 2014 Scottish Cup-winning side and will wear the number 14 jersey this season.
Stevie netted 27 times that campaign including two special goals in the semi-final against Aberdeen. He also scored in the home leg of the Club's historic Europa League victory over Rosenborg.
Having progressed from the Club's Academy through to the first-team he departed in the summer of 2014 for Sheffield Wednesday but returns five years on to bolster Manager Tommy Wright's attacking options.
Speaking to the club's official website after finalising the move, Stevie was ecstatic to finally get the deal done.
"It's a brilliant feeling," he said, "and it's been a long time coming. It's nice to walk into the stadium and see so many familiar faces and it's great to be back.
"What I always wanted was to come back here and I made that clear so I'm thankful that we got it done.
"I'm looking forward to getting back to playing football here at a ground I know well and I think it's a really positive move on all fronts.
"It's maybe not been the best of starts for the club this season but the performance against Hibs was impressive and we have an exciting squad here.
"I believe we can achieve a lot with the players we have here. The club has done so well in the past and there's no reason that with this squad we can't go on to achieve a lot as well."
On returning to play under Tommy Wright, Stevie said: "The Manager was a big factor in me coming back here.
"He made it clear that we wanted me and as a player that's all you can ask for. It's the right decision for me at this point in my career and hopefully we can put smiles on the faces of the supporters with our performances on the pitch."
The Manager - who celebrated his 56th birthday today - also spoke to the club's official website about his returning striker, saying: "It's not only a nice present for me but for the club as well!
"I'm delighted that we got the deal done and the Chairman worked so hard to resurrect the move and get it back on track.
"It's not secret that he was the man I wanted to bring back to the club so it's really exciting to be working with him again.
"Stevie had never given up hope and his motivation to come back to St. Johnstone kept it going too. He's home now and I believe he can be the man to get us goals.
"I want to see the Stevie May of old. Selfish in front of goal getting lots of shots off. I want him playing high up the pitch on the shoulders of defenders and we all know he can score goals - you never lose that instinct."
When asked about Stevie's involvement at the weekend, Tommy said: "The plan is he'll go straight into the squad on Saturday against Kilmarnock.
"It will give everybody a lift to see him back out there at McDiarmid Park and then - as luck would have it - his next match will be after the international break against Aberdeen at Pittodrie!"
Interviews with Stevie May and The Manager are available to watch free-for-all on Saints TV now!