PARTICK THISTLE have confirmed the signing of Darren Brownlie on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Queen of the South.

The 24-year-old had signed a pre-contract agreement with the club earlier this month but Thistle have forced the move through to have the centre-back available to Ian McCall immediately as the Jags look to climb the league table.

Brownlie spent the 2013/14 season at Firhill playing for the club's under-20s team before moving to Cowdenbeath.

The centre-half then joined Queen of the South in 2015 and made over 150 appearances for the Palmerston outfit.

Speaking to the club's media channel Jagzone, Brownlie said: "It's great to be back. Obviously, it's different circumstances - last time I was in the under-20s but now it's first team - so I'm looking to put my stamp on it and get us up the league.

"I don't think I was ready [for first-team football] back then but I really enjoyed my time here. It's a great club and as soon as I heard they were interested I couldn't wait to get back.

"It's been a few weeks [since signing the pre-contract] but I think you're better coming in and getting started. We need to pick up results and get up the league.

"It's a great club, great set-up and a great support as well. Hopefully they can get behind us for the rest of the season."

Brownlie is Thistle's seventh January addition after Darian MacKinnon, Zak Rudden, Brian Graham, Jamie Barjonas, Lee O'Connor and Blair Lyons were recruited, although Lyons has been sent out on loan to Montrose.