Stuart Soane believes he will be fully fit for the first time in two years after making his move to Forres Mechanics permanent.
The 25-year-old midfielder, who lives in Inverness, signed a three-year deal with the Can-Cans last week after a five-game loan spell from Formartine United.
The former Caley Thistle youth player admits geography has been a major obstacle until joining the Can-Cans.
He said: “When I was playing with Formartine I was never able to train with the other players because of where I live and work. I just used to turn up for matches on the Saturday.
“I really enjoyed my loan-spell here. It was really good to get a run of five games under my belt as I have missed a lot of football with niggling wee injuries over the last two seasons.
“They are a good bunch of lads at Mosset Park. I was able to get to know them all while I was on loan and it is great I can now train twice a week with my new team.”
However, Soane is disappointed that he won’t be able to face his old North Lodge team-mates later in the season.
He added: “Unfortunately, I will be in New York on holiday when Formartine are scheduled to visit us on December 7.”
Mechanics manager Charlie Rowley is delighted to have bolstered his squad with such an experienced player.
He said: “Stuart fits all the criteria that we feel we need at the club.
“Everybody is well aware that his career has been blighted by niggling wee injuries over the last two seasons at Formartine but we are convinced that is because of his location. He lives in Inverness and that made it totally impractical for him to train with Formartine.
“If we can get him integrated into the group, and he is able to train with us twice a week, I’m pretty sure these injuries will be a thing of the past.
“A fully fit Stuart Soane would be one of the best midfielders in the league, as he showed when he was at Huntly.”