ATHLETIC defender Rhys Breen has signed a new two-year contract with the club.

This afternoon, the 23-year-old centre back has ended speculation over his future by committing himself to the League One champions.

Breen, who arrived at the club in the summer of 2021, signing a two-year deal after leaving Rangers, has played in 34 of Dunfermline's matches in all competitions this season.

He has impressed manager, James McPake, and was a regular in the side until an injury sustained against FC Edinburgh in March ended his campaign.

His form saw him linked with other clubs, including English League One outfit Barnsley, but, after penning his new deal, he said: "It's brilliant to get it over the line.

"Obviously, it's been a really, really good season for me, and I thought it would be quite stupid not to sign a deal here, especially with the boys and the way I was progressing here.

"It was a no-brainer for me to get it over the line.

"It's been an ongoing thing actually for a while, but, finally, I've been able to sign it. It's been something that I've wanted to do. I've just wanted to get it done, and I'm glad that we've done it now.

"I've had a really, really good season, and to get the trophy at the end of it, it was unreal. It's only just starting to process that we've went and done that.

"I feel like I've had a really good season, and I can't wait for the challenge ahead."

Breen, who revealed that he has started running as he steps up his bid to regain fitness, said that he'd "forgot" about the significant role he'd played in the title success after missing out on the team's most recent matches.

"Obviously, the guys and the manager have told me how much of a part that I have played this season. Sometimes I've forgotten about it," he continued.

"But it's been an amazing, amazing season for me, and I can't wait for the challenge next season."

On reports that there was interest in his services from elsewhere, Breen replied: "These kind of rumours go about, but it was not something that I was interested in.

"I was always interested in signing here again. I think, in football, you always get rumours, but I'm glad that I'm signing here. That's the only thing that matters."

Boss McPake commented: "I'm delighted for him; he has been excellent. The injury curtailed his season, but he's shown how important he was, and from day one to be fair.

"I've spoken on record before, but he came in and showed just hard he wanted to work, how much he wanted to learn. I think, over the course of the season we've seen him - and I don't mean down to coaching, but justdown to how hard he's worked and how quickly he's taken things on board - it's mostly down to Rhys, with the form he's had and the progression I think we're seeing in him.

"He's still a young age for a centre-back, he's rapid quick, he's left-footed, and he's someone I'm delighted I'm going to get the chance to work with over the next couple of seasons."