DEFENDER Rhys Breen has insisted he was not interested in speculation linking him to other clubs after signing a new contract with Dunfermline.

Last week, the 23-year-old put pen to paper on a new two-year deal at KDM Group East End Park, tying him to the club until the summer of 2025.

That has provided his manager, James McPake, with a boost ahead of next season's return to the Championship, with Breen an integral part of a rearguard that kept 24 clean sheets in all competitions, 21 of which were in the league, as Athletic charged to the League One title.

Breen, whose season was curtailed by injury sustained against FC Edinburgh in March, also contributed at the other end with five goals, including the opener in a 2-0 win over Falkirk, also in March, which put Dunfermline eight points clear in front of more than 9,500 fans at East End.

Signed in the summer of 2021, signing a two-year deal after leaving Rangers, Breen's performances saw him linked with a move elsewhere, including to English League One outfit Barnsley, but he said: "These kind of rumours go about but I think it was not something that I was interested in. I was always interested in signing here again.

"In football, you always get rumours but I'm glad that I’m signing here, and that’s the only thing that matters.

"It's brilliant to get it over the line; it has been a really really good season for me. I thought it would be quite stupid not to sign a deal here, especially with the boys and the way that I was progressing here. It was a no-brainier for me.

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

"I've had a really good season and, obviously, to get the trophy at the end (following their final home match with Clyde) was unreal, and it's only now that it's starting to process that we've gone and done that. I feel that I have had a really good season, and I can't wait for the challenge ahead."

Breen played 34 games in all competitions during the season but, following his injury, he commented: "I kinda forgot about it because I'd missed out in the last five or six games.

"It went out my head a wee bit, but the guys, and the manager, have told me how much of a part I've played this season. Sometimes I forget about it, but it has been an amazing season for me. I can't wait for the challenge next season.

"I have started running and I will be in two or three times a week over the summer to keep myself right for the season ahead - over the course of my break, I'll be in a week earlier than the lads.

"I'm happy to go ahead and do that because I know next season is going to be a big challenge for me."