Queens secure Holmes from Saints

Holmes (left) departed McDiarmid Park on a high with a championship medal

Derek Holmes has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Queen of the South after the striker rejected a new deal with promoted St Johnstone.

The 30-year-old, who has agreed a two-year contract, becomes Queens manager Gordon Chisholm's first addition to his squad for the next campaign.

Holmes made 38 appearances for Saints, scoring seven goals, after joining last summer on departing Rotherham United.

But he has left Saints despite helping the club to the First Division title.

Queens have already lost two strikers from the squad that finished fifth in Division One - Sean O'Connor being forced to retire through injury and top scorer Stephen Dobbie agreeing a contract with English Championship outfit Swansea City.

Holmes - who began his career with Hearts before spells with Cowdenbeath, Raith Rovers, Ross County, Bournemouth, Carlisle and Rotherham - was one of five players offered new deals by Saints manager Derek McInnes.

McInnes wants to keep a hold of veteran goalkeeper Alan Main, midfielder Paul Sheerin and defenders Gary Irvine and Graham Gartland for the Perth club's return to the Scottish Premier League.

But Steven Doris, who had been on loan to Arbroath, fellow striker Graham Barrett and defender Kevin James have been released along with youngsters Jordan Quinn, Shaun McCallion and Gordon Norrie.