Buddies release striker Hamilton

Hamilton has had surgery on both his knees after the season ended

St Mirren have released Jim Hamilton after the veteran striker struggled with injury throughout the season.

Manager Gus MacPherson said reports suggesting that the 33-year-old had signed a pre-contract agreement with another club were false.

But he said: "We can confirm that Jim Hamilton won't be offered a new deal.

"Jim had a problem with both his knees and it came to the stage where he just couldn't do any more. We are grateful he was declaring himself available."

MacPherson reported that Hamilton had now undergone surgery on both knees and was working through a rehabilitation programme.

Hamilton made 28 appearances this season for St Mirren, who he joined from Dunfermline Athletic in January 2008.

It had been his second spell with Dunfermline in a senior career that began with Dundee and also took in Hearts, Aberdeen, Dundee United, Ross County, Livingston and Motherwell.