St Johnstone Sign Ruari Paton on Permanent Deal

St Johnstone have completed the permanent signing of Ruari Paton, bringing the forward back to McDiarmid Park after his eye-catching loan spell last season.

The 25-year-old returns from Port Vale for an undisclosed fee and has committed his future to the Perth club with a contract running until the summer of 2028. It is a long-term move that underlines how central he has become to their plans.

Paton struck five goals in 13 Championship appearances during his loan stint, providing crucial cutting edge in a campaign that ended in survival and a sense of momentum. His contribution went beyond numbers: sharp movement, relentless work and a knack for delivering when the pressure rose.

For Paton, this is not a fresh start. It is a continuation.

"The whole feeling of last season was really special and I loved every minute of that achievement," he told the club’s media, still riding the emotional high of that run. The way he speaks about the place makes it clear this is more than a career move.

"I actually loved every single thing about the club. The place, the people. I always felt happy here and I wanted to come back."

That bond was obvious long before the paperwork was signed. Paton never looked like a short-term visitor dropped in to do a job and move on.

"I never felt like I was on loan. I built a connection with the guys on the pitch and never had a bad interaction with anyone off it," he said, underlining the dressing-room chemistry that helped drag Saints through difficult spells.

The connection stretches beyond the changing room.

"I feel I have a great connection with the supporters too and everyone who works in the building. It feels like home."

For a club aiming to re-establish itself firmly in the Premiership, securing a player who already treats McDiarmid Park as home is no small victory. Now comes the real test: can Paton turn last season’s spark into a sustained top-flight impact over four pivotal years?