ST MIRREN’S League-Cup winning captain Jim Goodwin says he has joined Alloa Athletic to help them challenge for the League One title next season.The 34-year-old revealed that he will take up a playing role only with the Wasps as he looks to forge a career for himself outside of football, but says he is as hungry as ever to prolong his playing days and hopes to help his new club to promotion glory in the coming season.

Goodwin was released by St Mirren last month after spending five and a half years at the Paisley club, a spell that included lifting the League Cup in 2013. He is now looking forward to a new challenge playing for Jack Ross’ side as they look to bounce back at the first attempt following relegation from the Championship last season.

“I met with Jack last week and he was discussing the plans he has for Alloa and it excited me,” Goodwin told our sister paper, the Alloa Advertiser. “He is trying to get them promoted, it is as simple as that. We will be looking to challenge for the league and that along with the ideas the manager has as well as the positivity surrounding the place at the moment really drew me to the club.

“People may see this as a shock move because I certainly had a few full-time offers and I could have stayed in the Championship, but I felt this was a great opportunity for me not only to come and work with Jack, but also because it then allows me to go and pursue some other things outside of football as well. It is simply a playing role for me here and I am hoping that the drop down to part time can prolong my career.”

The St Mirren legend admits it was difficult to say goodbye to the club after five and a half years in Paisley.

Goodwin added: “I was absolutely gutted to be leaving St Mirren. It was an honour to play there for five and a half years and the fans were absolutely fantastic with me. Hopefully I will get the chance to go back and play there if I can, but it will be strange not turning up for pre-season at Ralston this year. That is football at the end of the day. All good things have to come to an end and now I am focused on a new chapter of my career with Alloa and I am very excited about it.”