Buckie Thistle have paid a club-record five-figure fee to Deveronvale to sign midfielder Mark Chisholm to Victoria Park on a four-year contract.

Chisholm, who celebrated his 32nd birthday last weekend took his time over the move.

He said: "Because I was at Deveronvale for so long, I needed to take my time over such a big move and not just rush into it.

"I know I kept people waiting, but it was something I felt I really had to do to get it right in my head first.  Now that I have completed my move to Buckie Thistle I am absolutely delighted.

"The money Buckie have paid Deveronvale means they wouldn't have wanted me to sign for one or two years and of course a four-year deal also gives me a bit of security.

"Coming from Buckie this is something I have always wanted to do, but the timing just hasn't been right up until now.

"But the deal has been done and I can't wait to get started.

"They have won the title for the last two seasons, at this stage of my career I want to win as much as I possibly can, so obviously I will be doing my best to keep that run going and be part of the club's future success."

The former Highland League player of the year added: "I can't find enough words to express my feelings for the Vale, they changed my life as I moved from Buckie to live in Banff and I met my wife while at the club, so I will be eternally grateful to them for 12 great years, and I will leave with countless happy memories.  Vale characters such as the late Eddie Bruce, Allan Still and Linda Legge have all helped to shape the person I have become, and I'm equally sad to leave my old team-mates, especially the younger ones who I have seen grow and mature as I coached them at under-17 and under-19 level."

Jags president Mark Duncan said: "This is a record signing for our club, we are delighted to put this deal together, but I must pay tribute to Deveronvale chairman Walter Robertson, who has been excellent to deal with throughout.

"Since playing for Buckie Thistle boys club as a kid Mark has had a wonderful career with Deveronvale and Vale have been equally brilliant for him.  If he does as well for us as he did for his former club we will be very happy indeed.

"Our supporters will be thrilled with this signing, it is a big one and it will give everyone a boost, we signed Mark because we are an ambitious club, we want to be in there competing for every trophy."

Report by Dave Edwards, Press & Journal