FORMER Athletic defender Lewis Martin has completed a move to Kelty Hearts.

The 26-year-old, who left East End at the end of last season, has teamed-up once more with John Potter to become the New Central Park manager's first signing since taking over from Kevin Thomson.

Press Sport previously reported that Martin, who made his Dunfermline debut in April 2013, had been training with the League Two champions, and impressed as a trialist in their first pre-season friendly - a 1-0 loss to Partick Thistle last Friday.

Following that match, Potter told Press Sport that he was keen to add the versatile centre back to his ranks, commenting: "Lewis is a good player. I’ve known him a long time and it’s just making sure he’s fit and getting him with us.

"I’d be keen to try and bring him into the squad, so we’ll see what happens.”

After playing again as a trialist during another friendly on Tuesday - a 5-4 win at Glenrothes - Martin has now put pen to paper on a deal with Kelty.

Speaking to the club's media channels, he said: "When I knew the manager was getting the job, obviously working with him at Dunfermline for a good few years, as soon as I knew he was coming, he gave me a phone call.

"We spoke and he wanted to get me in. I came in for the last few weeks and really enjoyed it.

"He's probably been the person that I've enjoyed working with the most. He's been great for my career so far.

"He was my first coach when I came in full-time at Dunfermline, and really enjoyed working under him, so I can't wait to get started again."

FORMER Athletic defender Lewis Martin is a target for Kelty Hearts boss John Potter after impressing on trial.

The 26-year-old, who did not have his contract at East End renewed following relegation to League One, has been training with the New Central Park outfit as they prepare for a first-ever season in the third tier of Scottish football.

Potter, who has been running the rule over several trialists as he looks to add to his squad, played Martin in Kelty’s first pre-season friendly – and his maiden match in charge – against Partick Thistle on Friday evening.

After being deployed at right back in the opening 45 minutes, Martin played the second at centre half and, despite his team being on the end of a 1-0 defeat, his performance led Potter to confirm that he hoped to reunite with a player he worked with at Dunfermline.

β€œI know what Lewis is like. It’s just getting him back out on the pitch, training with us, and we’ll get a chat with him over the next few days,” he told Press Sport.

β€œLewis is a good player. I’ve known him a long time and it’s just making sure he’s fit and getting him with us. He’s enjoyed it, he’s trained well, played well tonight, and we’ll get a chat with him over the weekend.

β€œIt’s good. He’s fitted in with us no problem at all. He’s trained the four sessions that we’ve done, got a full 90 minutes tonight and looked strong as well.

β€œI’d be keen to try and bring him into the squad, so we’ll see what happens.”

Potter was still playing for the Pars when Martin joined as a youth-team player, and was on Jim Jefferies' coaching staff when he made his first-team debut.

Martin, who can play across the back four, went on to play 171 times for Dunfermline, featuring under managers including Jefferies, Potter, Allan Johnston, Stevie Crawford and John Hughes.

Dunfermline’s longest-serving player at the time of his departure, injury and health issues hampered some of his time latterly with the club, which saw him miss all but the final two games of the 2018/19 season, and the entirety of the 2020/21 campaign.

After Peter Grant took over from Crawford last summer, he continued to train with the club and, in January, won a deal under Grant’s successor, John Hughes, until the end of the season after proving his fitness.

He played seven times after that, with his last appearance in black and white coming in the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final, second leg defeat to Queen's Park.

Martin, who is likely to feature for Kelty tomorrow in a home friendly with Raith Rovers, host Dunfermline in League One on August 20.