PARTICK THISTLE have confirmed that four players have been released at the end of their contracts.
Midfielder Sean Welsh, who scored five goals in 28 games for the Jags this season, is joined by David Amoo, Mark Ridgers and David Wilson in not being offered a new deal.
Welsh first joined the club in 2012, helping them earn promotion to the top-flight in his first season and making more than 100 appearances under manager Alan Archibald.
Defender Niall Keown has also departed Firhill as he returns to parent club Reading at the end of his loan move.
Jags boss Archibald said: “I’d like to place on record my thanks to each of the players who have been released and wish them all the best for the future. I’ve always said that we have an excellent squad here with each and every one of them having contributed something to the terrific season we have had.
“I would like to give a special mention to Sean Welsh. Sean has been at the club for more than five years and has been a vital part of the squad throughout that time. He was instrumental in our promotion bid and was my captain for the first two seasons in the Premiership, playing a massive part in us securing top six last month.
“We are in a much better position than in previous years as we have the majority of this year’s squad under contract for next season and with a number of those players in Sean’s position it means that there isn’t the opportunity to offer Sean the contract he would want.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Gary Fraser has signed a short-term deal that will see him remain at the Premiership club until at least January 2018.
The 22-year-old arrived from Bolton in 2014 but has missed the entire 2016/17 campaign through injury.
“Gary has had a horrendous time with injuries over the last two years and we want to give him the chance to prove his fitness and fight for his place in the team," explained Archibald.
"We did the same with Sean Welsh two years ago and we will be hoping for similar results when it comes to Gary. At only 23, he has plenty of football ahead of him and we are hopeful he can put the last 18 months behind him and hit the ground running when we return for pre-season.”
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