FORMER Pars striker Farid El Alagui has signed for Championship rivals Ayr United.

The 31-year-old turned down the offer of a contract extension with Allan Johnston's side last month for what the club said was "to pursue a new career opportunity in Asia".

However the former Falkirk, Hibernian and Dundee United hitman has instead joined the Honest Men until the end of the season.

El Alagui will be available for their trip to Dumbarton a week on Saturday, and Ayr boss Ian McCall commented: "It’s a deal we have been working on for some time and are delighted to get it finalised. Dunfermline offered him a new deal however Farid wanted more game time and chose to look elsewhere. He had other options however he has chosen to come here."

The French-Moroccan scored four times in 16 appearances for the Pars, and his last appearance, ironically, came at Somerset in last month's 2-0 win.

Ayr currently occupy the relegation play-off spot in the Championship and are five points behind sixth-placed Athletic.