The 41-year-old former Kilmarnock and Queen of the South manager was unveiled at East End Park this afternoon (Friday) and has agreed an initial one-year deal, with the option of an extension.

Dunfermline have been seeking a new manager since announcing last Thursday that John Potter would return to his role of head coach after failing to win promotion out of League One after succeeding Jim Jefferies in December.

The Athletic board revealed that they had received more than 75 applications for the post, but said that Johnston "fitted the bill in every aspect" of the "set, strict criteria in terms of the exact qualities and experience we were looking for".

Johnston commented, "For me it's a great opportunity; it's a big club and obviously last year there's no hiding the fact that we under achieved. For me it's a club that's got to be trying to get back to where it should be, which is where it belongs in the higher divisions.

"It's not going to be easy but you can see with the ambition of the supporters and the directors that everyone's got to be successful here and, for me, it was the perfect opportunity to get back in the game.

"When you look at the way everyone's rallied around the club in the last couple of years, you can see the potential the club's got and that was the main reason for taking the job. As a manager I'm ambitious and I want to go to as high a level as I can, and I think I can achieve that with Dunfermline."

Chairman Bob Garmory added, "We're absolutely delighted that Allan has seen fit to join us. He's an extremely capable young manager with a great track record and we're looking forward to working with him."

In season 2012/2013, Johnston led Queens to the League One title and Challenge Cup before departing for Rugby Park.

After avoiding relegation in his first season, Johnston left Killie in February with the club pushing for a top-six spot in the Premiership after he announced his intention to leave at the end of the season.

We will have more on Johnston's appointment in next week's Dunfermline Press.