Dumbarton signings up to eight with three more faces added

Joining the club are Greig Young, James Hilton and Sean Crighton whilst Kalvin Orsi penned a new deal for his third successive campaign with the Sons.

Young signs up following his departure from Raith Rovers, where he made eight appearances across two seasons in the Championship for the Starks Park side.

The left-back also enjoyed a successful loan spell at Elgin City in the first half of last season and the 20-year-old admits Sons caught his eye when he went up against them last season.

He said: “The loan spell for me was huge. Going out on loan and getting first-team football was huge, you develop so much you don’t even realise.

“I played against Dumbarton a couple of times for Elgin and I always thought the gaffer set out a good team and one that I would like to be a part of if I got the chance.”

Hilton is a man familiar to Farrell having worked with him at Stranraer when he was in the dugout at Stair Park.

‘Jinky’ picked up 12 goal contributions in 38 appearances last season and the 25-year-old is pleased to link up with his old gaffer once again.

He said: “I wanted to get a fresh start and I’m delighted to be at a big club like Dumbarton.

“The manager gave me my first crack at it in professional football when he signed me from Ayr United and I played a lot of games under him so I’m repaying him by coming here and hopefully I can deliver for him.

“The manager wants me to play in the middle of the park and it’s a position I prefer playing.

“Hopefully I can play in either the number eight position or number 10 position and score goals and set some up and defend for the team.”

Defender Crighton checks in from Stenhousemuir after spending two years at Ochilview.

With over 500 appearances to his name across his career, the centre-half will add experience to the heart of Dumbarton’s defence and is excited to partner fellow Summer arrival Mark Durnan at centre-back.

He said: “The manager tried to sign me a couple of years ago but I feel really happy to be here.

Farrell has added eight new faces to his squad (Image: Andy Scott)

“It’s a good club and I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running.

“I know Mark Durnan really well and hopefully the two of us will strike up a good partnership. I’m really looking forward to playing alongside him.

“I’m experienced, aggressive in the air and can add goals to the team as well but first and foremost it will be about getting as many clean sheets as I can.”

Orsi turned down higher offers to remain at the club and should pass the 100-appearance mark this season.

He was Sons leading assister in the 2022/23 campaign and whilst he failed to find the net himself, he insists he will do so this season and is excited at the new faces joining him in the dressing room.

He said: “I’ve left everyone hanging on a wee bit but I’m happy with the decision I made. I had a couple of other clubs interested and this was my favoured option.

“I did well with assists last season but I’m going to get more goals this season for definite.

“With the signings alone, I feel a lot more confident that we will put last season right.

“The competition for places will push everyone to do better because if you have a few bad games you could be out for somebody just as equally good.”

It takes Dumbarton’s tally of new faces ahead of the 2023/24 campaign to eight as Blair Malcolm, Tony Wallace, Carlo Pignatiello, Callum Wilson and Mark Durnan are joined by last week’s trio of signings.

Farrell retained Brett Long, Gregg Wylde, David Wilson, Ross MacLean, Aron Lynas, Declan Byrne, Finlay Gray, Ryan Blair and Ryan Wallace from last season’s squad whilst Luca Vata and Harry Broun are also expected to sign new contracts.

That would take Sons to a squad of 19 with the 50-year-old still keen to add to that as his side returns for pre-season training this weekend with one more new arrival expected before then.

Another couple of players will join up with the team for pre-season in a bid to win a deal for next season with Faz looking to add to his attacking options.