SEAN WELSH admits he was relieved to finally sort out his Partick Thistle future after penning a two-year deal with the Firhill club.
The midfielder spent the second half of the Irn-Bru First Division campaign on loan with Jackie McNamara's side from Hibernian last season where he did enough to convince the Jags boss he was worthy of a contract.
The 22-year-old has been in negotiations with Thistle for weeks after being told he had no future in Leith by Hibs boss Pat Fenlon.
A deal has finally been thrashed out to bring him along the M8 on a permanent basis for a shot at the First Division title next time out.
Welsh said: "I wanted to get something signed and sealed before I went away.
"I have been in negotiations with Thistle for a few weeks now so it is good to get a deal agreed for next season.
"I can go away on holiday knowing that I have got my contract signed and look forward to pre-season when I get back.
"It is not a nice time for players at the moment, there are a lot of redundancies at clubs and there is not a lot of money in the game. It is great that I have been able to get my deal signed.
"When I spoke to the manager and Simon Donnelly at the end of last season, they really sold the move to me.
"I really enjoyed my time at Thistle last year so I am delighted to have agreed a deal for the next couple of years.
"The gaffer and Simon run the club well and there are a good bunch of lads here. I was more than happy to sign up for the next couple of years and the two of them played a big part in that."