LEWIS MCCANN said he was "relieved" and joked he was "just glad that they want me" after signing a contract extension with Dunfermline.

The 22-year-old has agreed fresh terms, with option, until 2026 after the club moved to tie him down on a longer deal.

Northern Ireland under-21 cap McCann, who has scored six goals this season, including three in his last three games, was under contract until next summer, having previously signed an extension in January 2022.

Discussions have been taking place between both parties and the Fife Elite Football Academy product, who joined the Pars in 2018, said: "I am delighted and relieved as well because, when you get into the last year of your contract, you don't know what's going to happen.

"You could have a bad year and then, suddenly, you're out the door looking for a new club.

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"It's relief and I'm just glad that they want me, pretty much! I've been here all of my professional career so I'm just happy to keep it going."

Dunfermline Press: Shake on it: Pars boss James McPake poses with Lewis McCann after the forward signed a new contract.Shake on it: Pars boss James McPake poses with Lewis McCann after the forward signed a new contract. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Any uncertainty over a new contract that there may have been has not put McCann off his game, having been an impressive performer in the early stages of Dunfermline's return to the Championship this season.

Asked if his future at the club had been at the back of his mind, he replied: "Not really, because the gaffer told me last year that they wanted to extend my contract.

"There's been talks here and there, and it's sort of been up in the air, but it's good to just finally get everything sorted. You can take the shackles off again and hopefully I can continue the way I'm playing.

"Obviously a couple of results for the team, I would've liked to have won but, on a personal note, I'm very happy with the way I've started and with the way I've played."

McCann joked he would have another goal to his tally for the campaign "if someone had given me a goal against Annan (in the Viaplay Cup) to give me my hat-trick", insisting that the ball "definitely" hit him for their second goal, which was credited as a Matthew Douglas own goal, in the 4-0 win.

"It's good when you're a striker and you're scoring goals," he added.

"It's relief that people are appreciating what you're doing. I like scoring goals, I like seeing the fans celebrating, and all the contract stuff comes with that."

Dunfermline boss James McPake said: "I’m delighted.

"After every game, it was starting to look like we were one game away from him deciding not to sign it, because he’s been doing so well.

"When we first came into the club, we watched him and both myself and Dave (Mackay, McPake's assistant) said, ‘If we can’t make this player better then we shouldn’t be coaches’.

"That’s not to say we’re the reason for his improvement. I think Lewis has taken on board just how powerful he is and just how effective he can be."