Former Hibs defender Steven Whittaker has this evening completed his move to Dunfermline Athletic.

The right-back departed Easter Road at the end of last season after his second stint at the club. He did not enjoy the best of seasons last term, however, playing just 15 times before he was released alongside Vykintas Slivka and Adam Bogdan.

Dunfermline confirmed the news on their social media pages, informing supporters that Whittaker would be undertaking a player/coach role on a one-year deal as he continues to work towards an eventual future in a non-playing position.

Whittaker counts Rangers and Norwich City among his other previous clubs and played in the Uefa Cup final in Manchester back in 2008 for the Ibrox outfit. He has also earned 31 international caps. Whittaker scored 28 goals in 209 appearances for the Light Blues before eventually heading down south for the Premier League.

The player joins former Dundee United centre back Paul Watson, who was unveiled earlier in the afternoon, becoming the Pars' first and second signings of the summer, respectively. Watson, 29, has been brought to East End Park to help Stevie Crawford shore up his backline for next season's Championship campaign.

The signing news comes as Dunfermline recently announced the release of a whopping 17 players amid the coronavirus pandemic to 'protect the club's future'. Fan favourites such as Paul Paton, Lee Ashcroft, Joe Thomson and Ryan Scully were all allowed to leave on the expiry of their contracts.

One player who has remained at Dunfermline is striker Kevin Nisbet who is classed as one of the top assets owned by the Fifers. Nisbet, formerly of Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers, is being monitored by Dundee United and has been the subject of a £250,000 bid in recent weeks. Mark Warburton is also keeping an eye on the hitman at QPR.

Robbie Neilson - now at Hearts - is believed to still be an admirer of the frontman, though Herald and Times Sport understands the player's ambition lies in Scottish football's top tier and he would rather not stay in the Championship with the Jambos next