Forres Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald is thrilled to have brought Ben Barron back to Mosset Park.
The 17-year-old has signed for the Can-Cans after his release by Inverness Caley Thistle.
Barron impressed after joining Forres for the final six weeks of last season and MacDonald is delighted he’s returned to the club on a permanent basis.
He said: “After Ben joined us at the back end of the season he played most of the games.
“He did really well for us, it’s been difficult for him with the situation at Inverness.
“With Inverness not getting promoted he maybe suffered because of that and he’s been released.
“But Ben has got the potential to move back up the levels, we’re giving him the chance to gain more experience in the Highland League.
“However, Ben still has ambitions to try to play at a higher level and hopefully that can happen for him.
“He’s a big, strong boy for his age, it’s quite unusual to see someone so strong at 17.
“For some boys it can take a bit of time to get to grips with the physical side of it when they first start playing in the Highland League.
“But I don’t think it was a problem at all for Ben which is very encouraging.
“I think the initial experience on loan will have done him good and he’ll be even better next season.”
Squad balance
Barron is Forres’ fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Callum Murray, Andrew Skinner and Robert Donaldson.
MacDonald is pleased with the make-up of his squad ahead of next season and said:
“We’ve got a good balance with the players we’ve brought in.
“Ben will be one of the youngest ones in the squad but we’ve added Callum Murray, Andrew Skinner and Robert Donaldson who all have good Highland League experience.
“And some of our young boys will have more experience having played last season.
“We’re not a young team by any means and we’ve still got the experience of the Fraser twins, Stuart Knight and Martin Groat.
“I’m quite pleased with the way things are coming together, it’s difficult for clubs to bring players in.
“This is the quietest I think I’ve seen the Highland League market, but I think we’ve made good steps with getting those four players in ahead of pre-season.”
Wick departure and Strathspey arrival
Elsewhere in the Breedon Highland League Wick Academy striker Steven Anderson has left the club to concentrate on his family life.
Across two spells with the Scorries he made 182 appearances, scored 78 goals and was part of the side which won the North of Scotland Cup in 2015.
Meanwhile, Strathspey Thistle have appointed Brian Ritchie as the club’s first head of football development.