ONE of Athletic's departed League One title winners has signed for one of their Championship rivals ahead of the new season.

Nikolay Todorov, who left KDM Group East End Park at the end of their successful campaign, has agreed a deal to join Airdrieonians.

The popular 26-year-old, who netted 11 times in all competitions to help Dunfermline to return to the Championship, will join the Diamonds - promoted alongside the Pars, having been successful in the play-offs - subject to SFA clearance.

Prior to signing for Rhys McCabe's team, and after his exit was confirmed, he exclusively told Press Sport that "sometimes things don't work out as you wish" as he thanked Athletic fans for their "incredible" support during his time at the club.

With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Todorov, following the final game of the campaign at Alloa, alongside team-mate, Kevin O'Hara, revealed that their time as Pars players was over with posts on social media, with Kyle MacDonald also heading for the exit.

After the final whistle the Bulgarian forward, who came on as a second half substitute, said his farewells to the fans who, not for the first time this season, brought a flag of his home country to the game.

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Such gestures did not go unnoticed by Todorov, who earlier in the season told Press Sport it gave him "extra motivation" to do well for the club, and he was keen to express his gratitude once more.

Following the season's end, and before his move to Airdrie was tied up, Todorov spoke to Press Sport and, when asked whether extending his stay was a possibility, the striker replied: "I don't want to get into it. It's football and sometimes things don't work out as you wish.

"The support of the fans, as I have always said, has been incredible towards me and my family. The flag appeared at the end of last season and having something like that makes you give that extra 10 per cent for the people that have paid to come and watch you.

"I said when I joined the club that I will always give my all and I am happy that the fans saw this and appreciated me. I would like to thank them for taking me in so well, and it's not a goodbye!

"I'm really proud that I could contribute to winning the league and that I could share those moments with some amazing players."

Signed by Peter Grant in the summer of 2021, from Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the former Heart of Midlothian, Queen of the South and Falkirk forward netted six times during his first season.

Despite a crucial winner against Ayr, the Pars were relegated and James McPake arrived as manager last summer.

He retained faith in most of the squad that suffered the drop and Athletic stormed back up at the first attempt, taking the title after a season that saw them unbeaten at home, lose just once in 36 games and set club records for the number of clean sheets and goals conceded.

Asked for his highlights, Todorov said: "For me, every goal I was scoring at East End was special – maybe the Ayr goal because I'm a person that never knows when I'm beat, and, of course, the celebrations after winning the league is something I will remember forever."

He scored nine times in League One, including memorable late winners at home to Montrose, and away to Airdrie as the Pars roared back from three goals down to win 4-3.

Across 38 appearances during the season, the striker made 11 league starts, the last of which came at Peterhead in April, when he scored the opener in a 2-0 win.

Boss McPake subsequently praised the performances of Todorov, O'Hara and MacDonald and admitted it was "tough" telling them they wouldn't be staying.

"There is no point looking back and having regrets," Todorov said.

"We had a bad first season but we managed to turn it around this season. Of course, I would like to have played more, but it's football and it happens.

"I'm just glad I scored many important goals and was able to celebrate with the fans and my team-mates.

"I have enjoyed wearing the jersey and representing this club because of all the amazing people that are working tirelessly behind the scenes, and the amazing support the club gets."