Shaun Rooney is relishing the prospect of European football after signing a two-year deal at St Mirren.

The Buddies will be playing in Europe for the first time in 37 years next season having qualified for the Europa Conference League.

“I’m thrilled to be joining a team like St Mirren that has just confirmed European football,” Bellshill-born defender Rooney told the club website after a two-year spell with Fleetwood in Sky Bet League One.

“It’s good to be coming back home. St Mirren wanted to sign me two years ago before I went to Fleetwood and I had a good chat with the manager, but I just wanted to try new things.

“The club being interested in me again is obviously a positive sign.

“It’s a club that’s close to home and one I know a lot about it. I was on trial when I was younger as well.

“I spoke to Marcus Fraser and he gave high reviews.

“I asked what the team was looking like for next season and he only said positive things so I can’t wait to get started and meet the boys.”

Rooney, 27, began his career in the youth set-up at Dundee United before moving on to Queen’s Park and Dunfermline, where he was part of the Pars’ Scottish League One winning side in 2015-16.

He had a first spell in England at York before returning to Scotland and playing for Queen of the South, Inverness and St Johnstone.

Rooney scored two Hampden Park winners in 2021 as St Johnstone completed a League and Scottish Cup double.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson said: “He’s a player that I have chased for a number of years.

“He can play in a number of different positions and has proved his quality in the Scottish Premiership.

“We’ve started our signings early. We’re delighted to get him in and we look forward to welcoming Shaun to the club.”