St Johnstone have completed the signing of 25-year-old forward Ruari Paton, who joins on a season-long loan from English League One side Port Vale.

Paton has plenty experience in Scotland. The Irishman played for East Kilbride between July 2019 and June 2020, where he played 7 games and scored 3 goals, Stranraer between July 2020 and June 2021, where he played 30 times and scored 9 goals, Queen of the South between July 2021 and June 2023, where he played 91 times and scored 33 goals, Queen’s Park between July 2023 and July 2024, where he played 43 times and scored 22 goals and Dundee United between January 2025 and June 2025, where he played 13 games and failed to find the net.

Paton after signing for Saints:

“I hope to bring composure, tenacity and of course some goals. But I can say that all I want, I need to show the supporters.

“I’m just feeling pure excitement and, as I said, I’m really looking forward to having a good crack at this and having a strong finish to the season.

“I’m so eager to get out there on the training field with all the guys. It’s going to be great.”