FORMER Pars captain Callum Morris has this evening signed for Championship rivals Ross County.

The Staggies, relegated from the top flight last season, confirmed the arrival of the 28-year-old alongside another defender, Keith Watson.

Earlier this month Athletic announced that Northern Ireland squad man Morris would be leaving the club after his contract expired.

At the time, chairman Ross McArthur said that after "much thought and deliberation, Callum has informed us that he wishes to move back down south and try his luck again in England".

However, he has headed north and County co-manager, Stuart Kettlewell, told their website: "Steven (Ferguson, fellow co-manager) and I have been big admirers of Callum for a long time and with his leadership qualities as well as his experience in both the Premiership and Championship we feel he will be a huge asset to Ross County Football Club."

Morris was in his second spell as a Pars player after initially signing for Jim Jefferies in the summer of 2012.

After starting his career with his hometown club and boyhood favourites, Morris played for Blyth Spartans before joining the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain.

From there, he played for Hayes and Yeading and Morpeth United before joining Dunfermline.

Morris, who told Press Sport that he considered quitting the game before he arrived at East End, went on to play 67 matches over two seasons.

After the club were plunged into a relegation fight - which ultimately saw them drop to League One - because of well-documented financial problems, Morris left for Dundee United after an instant return to the second tier was denied courtesy of a play-off defeat to Cowdenbeath.

After two years at Tannadice, and a brief spell with Aberdeen, Morris returned to Dunfermline in January 2016 and was appointed club captain this season.

In total, he made 123 appearances for the Pars, and scored seven goals.

After it was confirmed he would be leaving, McArthur went on to praise Morris for the "honourable and professional manner" in which talks were conducted.

He said: "We wish Callum well and thank him for his loyal service to our club, both on and off the field, over two spells, at East End Park.

"Callum took the time to meet me in person to inform me of his decision face-to-face, and I would like to praise Callum for the honourable and professional manner (in which) he has conducted himself during our discussions."

The move will see Morris join another former Dunfermline man, Declan McManus, in Dingwall after he also completed a switch to the Highlands.