James Keatings signs on at Forfar

Keatings spent last season contracted to Raith Rovers but was sent on-loan to fellow Angus club Montrose.

The forward battled a persistent hip injury before deciding to give the game up in March.

But announcing his signing this week, the Station Park club said Keatings has vowed to “resurrect his playing career” with them after agreeing a one year deal, his first as a part time player in a senior career that started in 2010.

Keatings started his career in the youth system with Glasgow Celtic before moving on for first team football with Hamilton Accies.

His form there in the 2013/14 season earned him a move to Heart of Midlothian ahead of a trip across the capital to Hibs where he made over 50 appearances in a two season spell.

Spells with Dundee United and Hamilton again, Inverness and Raith followed.

One player who won’t be joining Keatings in the Forfar line-up next season, though, is Jamie Ness who has announced his retirement from the game at 31-years-old.

Ness spent part of last season with Forfar Athletic but the former Rangers midfielder, who has endured a torrid time with injury, has called it a day.

The club has been handed a tough home draw in the second round of the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The draw saw Forfar paired with Kelty Hearts.

The tie will take place at Station Park on Tuesday, August 23.