KELTY HEARTS striker Nathan Austin has left the club and signed for former club East Fife.

The 29-year-old, who had been under contract at New Central Park for next season, has joined the League Two side on a two-year contract after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

'Fash', who began his career at New Bayview before moving on to Falkirk, joined Kelty in the summer of 2019 after leaving Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

A prolific goalscorer for the 'Maroon Machine', Austin helped the club win two Lowland League titles - in the COVID-hit 2020 season, and in 2021 - and played his part in them winning through the pyramid play-offs, and gaining promotion to the SPFL, following the latter.

READ MORE: Kelty Hearts announce player departures as defender pens new deal

In their first season in Scottish football's top four leagues, Kelty, under the guidance of Kevin Thomson, stormed to the League Two title, with Austin scoring 21 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions.

As they embarked on their maiden League One season, with John Potter in charge following Thomson's resignation last summer, Austin was hit by injury problems throughout.

Although he made 25 appearances - the last of which came in April's derby draw at Dunfermline - he found the net just three times, with his last goal coming in a 3-3 draw at Montrose in January.

Speaking to his new club's website, Austin said: "It's a special club to me. I'm just grateful that I'm back, and really looking forward to next season already.

"Towards the end of last season, it obviously got announced that (Michael) Tidser got the management role, and obviously he's a good friend of mine before that. We had a conversation just to see what both our plans were moving forward, and I think we were both on the same page, that maybe it was time for a fresh start.

"After that, the club gave me permission to seek ventures new. Obviously, I was under contract at the time, and it just was seeing the club that was willing to pay for me and, after that, it was finding the best club.

"Lucky enough, East Fife were willing to take me back, and I'm delighted to be here."

Kelty stated: "Nathan Austin agrees deal with East fife in the Cinch League Two. Kelty Hearts FC have agreed to transfer Nathan Austin to East Fife for an undisclosed fee.

"Signed by Barry Ferguson in the Lowland League, Nathan has been a popular figure around the club, a prolific goalscorer as the club secured two Lowland League titles, a pyramid playoff victory and the cinch League Two title.

"We would like to thank Nathan for his time here at Kelty Hearts and wish him well for the future."

READ MORE: Kelty Hearts officially unveil new manager