Buckie Thistle sign Darryl McHardy from Elgin City as Jags boss Graeme Stewart is "buzzing" about his summer Highland League transfer business
Buckie Thistle have beaten off a long queue of suitors for the signing of former Elgin City defender Darryl McHardy.
Elgin-based McHardy (28) has signed a two-year deal with the Victoria Park club.
He joins goalkeeper Euan Storrier in striking a deal with Jags this week, the latter making the move from Huntly.
Buckie manager Graeme Stewart believes he has signed all of his transfer targets and feels he has the competitive squad for next season he was looking for.
"That is me buzzing for my squad," Stewart said.
"Bringing in Darryl will be massive for us and I'm really pleased to get Euan to provide competition for Stuart Knight in goal."
Stewart signed Knight and midfielder Dale Wood from Forres Mechanics as well as taking in ex-Aberdeen teenager Jack MacIver from Formartine United, making it five fresh faces in the close season.
He sold defender Mark McLauchlan and keeper Lee Herbert to Forres after both players requested a move.
Stewart said as soon as McHardy was freed by Elgin, he became a major target for the competitive qualities he brings.
The Jags boss believes McHardy could provide a missing ingredient to his team to a team which has lost each of the last two league titles on the final day of the campaign.
"Football is about possession and technique but what we have lacked is a bit of aggression - maybe even nastiness," he said.
"I'm not saying Darryl is nasty but he is one of those players that rolls his sleeves up and gets stuck in.
"That’s not all he has, he is a very good player but having those qualities in there, some drive and some leadership, I think it will help us."
Several Highland League clubs had made offers to McHardy since his release from the Black and Whites.