LOAN star Gavin Reilly says he is relishing the chance to kick-start his career and fire Dunfermline to Championship success.

The 23-year-old former Queen of the South hitman was reunited with Allan Johnston on Monday when he completed a season-long loan move from Hearts after the Pars fought off competition from other clubs to secure his signature.

Reilly becomes Athletic’s third summer signing following the captures of midfielder Nat Wedderburn and centre back Lee Ashcroft.

A product of the Doonhamers’ youth system, Reilly spent five years at Palmerston and had a productive season under Johnston’s management in 2012-2013, scoring 13 goals as Queens lifted the Second Division title and the Challenge Cup.

After hitting double figures in successive Championship campaigns, the forward moved to Tynecastle on a three-year deal last summer netting five goals in 32 appearances.

Speaking to Press Sport after his first training session with his new team-mates on Tuesday, Reilly said: “It has been in the pipeline for a while; Allan got in touch with Robbie (Neilson, Hearts manager) and although I did speak with other clubs, I felt that this was the best place to come to. I know what I’m coming into; I played under Allan when he was manager at Queen of the South and I did well. He’s a great manager and I think the way Dunfermline play will suit me down to a tee.

“I watched a couple of games and it’s nothing different to what we did at Queen of the South; they like to get the ball down and press teams. I work really hard, like to run in behind and hopefully I can chip in with some goals.

“I’ve had two good seasons where I hit double figures in the Championship and I’m a bit older now and feel like I’ve improved. It was a frustrating season for me last season because I thought that I did well when I played. The manager had different ideas for different games and thought this was the best for me and I’m at an age now where I need to play every week. The manager here said I’d play in most games, and when you hear that it gives you a boost.

“I want to be here, score goals and do well. I’m ready to hit the ground running.”

He continued: “The Championship is very competitive and there are teams in it who can play in the Premiership but this is one of the biggest clubs in the league and we’ll relish the expectations to do well. I trained for the first time on Tuesday and it was good to be back, although it was a quick turnaround for me. All the guys are really friendly and it is a good dressing room. I’m raring to go.”

Johnston added: “I think there was a lot of interest in Gav, not just from the Championship but from the Premier League as well, so it’s brilliant for us to get hold of somebody of that calibre. It was something we’d spoken to Hearts about a while ago but obviously they had to make sure they got other players in as well. They see the benefit of Gav going and playing regular games so when he goes back to them he can make an even bigger impression.

“He’ll get goals; he makes really good runs in behind, is a finisher and that’s the kind of person you want in your team, somebody who can make the difference. He can certainly do that so we’re delighted to get him on board.”