ST MIRREN have announced the signing of centre-back Gary MacKenzie on a one-year contract.

He joins the Championship club after making 15 League One appearances for Doncaster Rovers last season and has previously had spells with Dundee, MK Dons, Blackpool, Bradford City and Notts County.

A product of the Rangers youth system, the 30-year-old returns to Scottish football after six seasons playing in England.

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He was called up to the Scotland squad in 2011 and was on the bench for a 2-1 friendly win over Cyprus, but didn't make an appearance.The Herald: Gary MacKenzie would prefer to be playing again tonight instead of training in Portugal

“I’ve been in England for six years and I had moved the family back up to Scotland three years ago but it hasn’t been ideal," he said to St Mirren TV. 

"When I spoke to Alex (Rae, St Mirren manager) he told me there was a possibility that I could come here, get back to playing and enjoying my football and going home to my family it was very appealing.

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“I obviously respect Alex and I’ve worked under him before – he’s a good coach. He spoke very well about the club and what he’s trying to build here and what he seems to be building is very exciting.

“I’ve got a lot of experience and I’ve played at quite a high level. I played 50 games in the English Championship and did well enough to be called into the Scotland squad.

"I’m fully committed in everything I do and hopefully with me coming back here to my family then the football takes care of itself and you should actually see a better me than I have been in the last few years.”

Buddies manager Alex Rae was delighted to welcome MacKenzie to his squad as they look to improve on last season's disappointing sixth-place finish.The Herald: 12/03/15 LADBROKES CHAMPIONSHIP .  ST MIRREN v QUEEN OF THE SOUTH (2-1) .  PAISLEY 2021 STADIUM - PAISLEY .  St Mirren manager Alex Rae.

He said: “It was just an opportunity really that presented itself. I knew Gary was looking to get back up the road and he’s a good addition for us. He’s experienced, he brings physicality and I worked with him a couple of years ago at Blackpool in the Championship – we have a quality player on our hands here.

“You want to have a physicality throughout your team but he’s also a very good footballer. I know what he can bring to the table, it’s not just physicality we’re getting a good all round footballer.

“It’s been a tough summer but I’m pleased to get Gary on board. There was another player I was chasing for weeks but unfortunately that’s not come to fruition as he’s chosen to do something else now. We go back to the drawing board and we have a couple of irons in the fire so we will pursue them now.

“We need strikers – we’re looking at strikers and we’re also trying to get a winger in who can inject a bit more pace into the squad. I know some people will look at us signing another centre-half but the quality Gary brings us along with the price range, we were fortunate that he signed for what he did. We’re getting there slowly but surely, it’s a process.”