SELKIRK manager Steve Forrest couldn’t hide his delight at the weekend as he captured the signing of Polish defender Sebastian Pyda.

The 26-year-old from Lublin made an instant impact when joining neighbours Gala Fairydean Rovers midway through last season.

And hopes were high that the former professional player in his Polish homeland would stay at Netherdale for another season.

But a bidding war soon developed with Selkirk and junior club Haddington leading the way.

Pyda agreed terms with Selkirk on Friday.

Manager Forrest said: “I was very impressed with Seb last season - he is exactly the kind of player I was looking for.

“He knows what we are trying to do at Selkirk and he wants to be part of it.” Pyda arrived in Scotland in October, 2013 after playing with several semi-pro clubs in Poland’s second division.

Although joining Spartans he was unable to break into their Lowland League team.

Selkirk chairman Ross Anderson said: “I don’t understand how Seb wasn’t a regular in the first team at Spartans. From what we have seen he could well become one of the best players in the league.

“Steve (Forrest) has done well to assemble a team full of quality during the summer.”