GOALKEEPER Scott Fox yesterday joined Ross County after knocking back a new deal at Partick Thistle.

The former Scotland Under-21 internationalist has agreed a two-year deal with the Staggies and becomes manager Jim McIntyre's third new signing for next season.

The 27-year-old, who worked with County assistant Billy Dodds at Dundee, helps plug the gap left by the release of both County's first-team keepers, Mark Brown and Toni Reguero.

A delighted McIntyre said: "Scott is a guy who Doddsy has worked with before and one who has long been on my own radar.

"He's very good goalkeeper, excellent with the back pass and he kicks the ball well.

"He has gained a lot experience at this level, playing 120 or 130 games for Thistle.

"I think he has shown his quality over the last couple of years, so we've signed a goalkeeper who should be a real asset to Ross County.

"We're getting him at a good age. he's looking for a new challenge and he's hungry to be part of the new squad.

"Scott ticked all of the boxes for me."

Bellshill-born Fox started his career at Celtic and went on loan with East Fife in 2007/08, before leaving the Glasgow giants in search of first team football in 2010.

Brief spells at Queen of the South and Dundee followed, the latter ending prematurely as the Dens Park club plunged into administration.

His career took off at Firfill, though, where he won the club's player of the year award in 2010/11.

The 6ft keeper was then part of the Jags squad who won promotion to the top flight in 2012/13, winning a place in Gordon Strachan's full Scotland squad for the matches against USA and Norway.

Fox would then battle back from serious ankle injuries to make 24 appearances this season.

He also became only the fourth Jags keeper since the war - and the first in a decade - to keep 10 clean sheets in the top division.

McIntyre is well on schedule to firm up his playing pool for next season having already assembled a squad of 13 signed players after releasing 15.

Fox, who was offered terms at Thistle, joins ex-Dundee United striker Brian Graham and former Queen of the South midfielder Ian McShane as brand new faces in Dingwall.

McIntyre is still in the hunt for a second goalkeeper and three or four new faces, while negotiations continue over a new deal for defender Paul Quinn and midfielder Steven Ross.

County remain keen on last season's loanee Jackson Irvine, although it is understood parent club Celtic have also offered the Aussie a contract extension.