Cove Rangers have announced that midfielder Jamie Masson is set to leave the club to embark on a new life in Australia.

The former Aberdeen man joined Cove in 2017 and was part of the side who gained back-to-back promotions to League One, before winning the title last season as they progressed to the Championship.

Masson admits that it was a difficult decision, but is looking forward to starting his new life and fulfilling a dream several years in the making.

Speaking to Cove Rangers TV, he said: “I’m excited by it. It really began to take shape when I had my ankle injury, so that gave me time to think.

“My best mate is over there, he’s been texting me encouraging me to go, and I think it’s maybe time to pack my bags and do it.

“It was a tough decision, certainly tough to leave this club. I’ve known six or seven of the lads since I was about 11 years old, so that’s difficult, but sometimes you just have to take a chance when it’s there.

“There have been promotions, cup wins, and doing it with the lads you’ve been mates with for years makes it even better.”

Masson bagged over 30 goals during his time at Balmoral stadium, including one in each leg of their play-off final triumph over Berwick Rangers in 2019 which sealed their place in the SPFL.

Recalling that day, Masson said: “What an experience that was, we all knew how much it meant to everyone at the club and doing it with those boys who had come up through the Highland League, that was brilliant.

“Great memories to have for the rest of your life, and I’m so proud to have been part of it.”

An agreement is in place that ensures Masson can re-sign with the club should he return to Scotland in the future, but chairman Keith Moorhouse is hoping things work out for the man he has known since his days as a youth prospect at Aberdeen.

Paying tribute to the departing midfielder, Moorhouse said: “From a football perspective, we are really disappointed to lose Jamie Masson, but on a personal level, I’ve known for quite a while that this was his long-term plan and I’m delighted he has been able to fulfil it.

“I am proud to have watched him grow up to be the man he is, and he goes with my best wishes.

“Jamie is part of the family, and he always will be.”