IAN MAXWELL today became Partick Thistle boss Ian McCall's second summer signing when he agreed a two-year deal with the Jags.

The experienced stopper was surprisingly released by St Mirren last week after three years' sterling service at Love Street.

And, with McCall robbed of the services of crocked captain Alan Archibald until late October at least, the Jags boss has no doubt how important the signing of the 33-year-old will be.

The delighted Firhill gaffer said: "I have to thank the Board for freeing up the funds to bring Ian in. With the injury to Alan Archibald, we badly needed to bring in someone of quality, stature and experience and, in Ian, we have all three.

"He has scored three times in 22 games in the SPL for St Mirren this season and, to be honest, I am surprised he has been released by them, but delighted he became available.

"Ian can play left centre-back or left-back and we are now in a position where, when Archie gets fit again, we will have, along with Marc Twaddle, three players competing for the left-side positions at the back.

"Ian is a powerful aerial threat from the set-piece, so to get him on a two-year deal is great business for Partick Thistle."

McCall's mood was further lightened by the fact that after Maxwell had shaken on the deal, there was a late attempt by another club - believed to be big-spending St Johnstone - to gazump the stopper's Firhill deal with an improved package.

That could have again led to the nightmare scenario of McCall agreeing terms on a big signing and then losing out to a rival First Division side.

Last summer the Jags boss had made former Aberdeen, Hearts and Gretna midfielder Neil MacFarlane his key signing and the player duly passed a Firhill medical. However, with the deal apparently nailed down, Queen of the South tabled an improved deal and Mac headed for Palmerston Park.

However, it is understood that Maxwell would not be moved, and his experience will be a vital addition next term as McCall bids to move his side from mid-table to promotion challenging form.

And the Firhill gaffer said: "Ian has a wealth of experience and again that is something we badly needed to bring in this summer. We snapped up Paul Paton from Queen's Park and I believe he is a defensive talent who has a huge future, but the addition of Ian will only help enhance his development, as it will the likes of Marc Twaddle.

"I wouldn't have offered him a deal if he was an experienced defender who relied on pace. He is not, and Ian's game is about reading and anticipating a game. Even though he is 33, I had no fears in handing him a two-year deal."

McCall admits he will now try to acquire the services of one or possibly, even two, new strikers, both of which may well be loan signings.

But the addition of Maxwell has now added an uncompromising and imposing sheen to the back line that in the absence of skipper Archibald early next time around the block may make the former Buddie McCall's best signing this close-season.