COWDENBEATH’S experienced midfielder, Stuart Love, has pledged himself to the club’s battle to get back into the Scottish Professional Football League.

The 28-year-old has quickly become a firm favourite at the Blue Brazil, after moving to Central Park early in the season following spells at Stenhousemuir and Oakley United.

And he has now agreed to a contract extension which means his deal will run to the end of next season.

Cowden’s football operations co-ordinator, Colin Nelson, said: “We are delighted that ‘Lovey’ has decided to extend his deal with the club.

“The gaffer (Maurice Ross) made it known to me quite early that he wanted to extend the midfielder’s deal so we went to work on putting this in place.

“Stuart epitomises what we want at the club.

"He’s a well respected lad in the dressing room, and on the pitch, and will be an important player for us this season and next."

Love said: “I am delighted to get the deal done for the gaffer, Colin and all the guys behind the scenes have been brilliant since I came in.

“The club is well supported, with the fans there week in week out to back us, so it was a bit of a no brainer for me!

"The club is obviously rebuilding, but is definitely heading in the right direction.

“We are looking to kick-on over the next 18 months and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”

In order to strengthen their resources for the second half of the campaign, and to increase the options up front, Cowdenbeath have agreed a loan deal with neighbours East Fife which sees their 21 year-old striker, Michael Cunningham, come to Central Park for the rest of the season.

A Fife lad, he came through the youth ranks at Celtic and joined Dundee in 2019.

Cunningham then moved to East Fife in 2021 and was awarded a contract extension last February by the Methil club. He also had loan spells with Cumbernauld Colts and Edinburgh City, when he was at Dens Park.

Nelson is delighted with the loan signing and said: “He has been a target for the club since August and I’d like to thank Methil boss, Greig McDonald, and East Fife for making this loan move happen.

“Michael really fits the profile of what we want at the club. Young and ambitious as well as being a Fife lad. We are all looking forward to seeing him in action."

Assistant manager, Colin Jack, added: “Having worked with Michael before I know the qualities that he will bring to the team and we are indeed delighted that he has decided to join the club."