THE PARS have tonight completed a sensational move to bring Faissal El Bakhtaoui back to the club.

The French-Moroccan striker, who left East End two years ago, has signed on a season-long loan from Dundee.

Having lost both Nicky Clark and Declan McManus to Championship rivals Dundee United and Ross County earlier this summer, the arrival of El Bakhtaoui strengthens Allan Johnston's forward options.

Signed by Jim Jefferies in the summer of 2012, the St-Tropez born player made his first-team debut later that season but began to feature more prominently after Athletic were relegated to League One.

After netting 13 times over the following two seasons, El Bakhtaoui came to prominence after Johnston took over as manager in the summer of 2015.

In an explosive start to the campaign - which included successive 4-1, 5-1, 6-1 and 7-1 wins over Arbroath, Cowdenbeath, Brechin City and Cowdenbeath again - he netted an astonishing eight goals as Dunfermline stormed to the top of League One.

El Bakhtaoui scored a brace in a memorable League Cup win over the Dees and further showcased his ability on his way a season's haul of 30 goals.

His worth to Dunfermline was underlined when he scored a hat-trick on the day the club were crowned League One champions against Brechin City, and the fans' favourite was named as the PFA Scotland League One Player of the Year.

But, despite the Pars' attempts to keep him, the 25-year-old left for the Premiership Dark Blues that summer.

During his two seasons on Tayside, he has made 66 appearances and scored eight goals, but is now set to pull on the black and white once more.

Chairman Ross McArthur told the club's website: "We are all naturally delighted to confirm the return of Faissal.

"The manager has been working very hard to bring quality players into the club ahead of the new season, and Faissal will certainly bring that!

"We would like to thank Dundee Football Club, and in particular chief executive Eric Drysdale, for their assistance and co-operation in the transfer."

We will have more on this story, and an interview with El Bakhtaoui, in next week's Press Sport.