PARTICK Thistle have completed the signing of Lewis Mayo on a one-year loan from Rangers.

The 21-year-old centre-back has previously had a brief stint at Firhill when he joined for the second half of the 2019-20 campaign, a couple of months before the season was curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The defender impressed in the handful of games in which he featured before returning to Ibrox, and spent last season on loan at Dunfermline, where he was occasionally deployed in a defensive midfield role.

Speaking to the club's website, Jags boss Ian McCall said he was thrilled to get the deal over the line - as re-signing Mayo was his top priority when it came to defensive recruitment this window.

“Lewis was my number one target to add to the defensive ranks this summer," McCall explained. "He is a player we have had to be patient about while he was needed at Rangers but he has quality that is worth waiting for.

"We had Lewis for a short time last year so we know what he’s like as a person already and he should fit in well with the rest of the guys. He displayed his versatility while on loan at Dunfermline last season by playing at full-back and as a defensive midfielder, but I see him primarily featuring for us as a centre-back.

“We’ve got that core of the squad from last season in place but we need two or three more players to really complete the squad and Lewis brings us a step closer to that final product. I’m hopeful we’ll have more news about more arrivals for the squad soon.”

Speaking to Jagzone, the club's in-house media channel, Mayo said his two loan spells have been hugely beneficial in his development - adding that his newfound tactical versatility has given him a greater understanding of the game.

"It was tough the way things ended when I was last here but I’m delighted to be back and I’m looking forward to it," he said. "Personally, even though it was only three games, I took a lot of experience from that and I appreciated the chance to come and play first-team football. I’m looking to build on that.

READ MORE: Partick Thistle sign Cammy Smith on two-year deal after spell in US

"I take a lot of confidence from [McCall’s comments]. In my previous spell here I settled in really quickly so I know that I’ll settle in fine and I’m looking forward to the football starting.

"Again, I took a lot of experience from [the loan at Dunfermline]. I played a lot of football, got a lot of minutes and played a few different positions which can be invaluable for a young player in terms of learning the game and learning different roles.

"Hopefully I can use that experience to help myself here this season.

"I think [playing in different positions] helps you communicate with the players around you. I still see myself as a defender long-term but I take confidence from that as well; understanding the different demands of each role in a game."

Glasgow Times:

With Darren Brownlie out for the remainder of the year with a cruciate injury, Mayo could be pitched in to the Jags' starting line-up for Saturday's Championship curtain-raiser against Queen of the South.

Steven Bell, Ciaran McKenna and Mouhamed 'Sena' Niang are the other candidates vying for a starting berth in central defence, while Tam O'Ware's time at Firhill appears to be drawing to a close.

Mayo is McCall's eighth signing this window. Scott Tiffoney, Ross MacIver and Steven Bell, who joined on loan last season and played crucial roles as Thistle sealed the League One title, have signed permanent contracts in Glasgow's west end, while Hearts goalkeeper Harry Stone has joined on a season-long loan.

Kyle Turner was signed on a free transfer after being released by Dunfermline, left-back Kevin Holt was brought in from Cypriot side Ermis Aradippou while Cammy Smith, the former Ayr United and Dundee United attacking midfielder, has returned from his Stateside soujourn to sign for the Jags.