Arfield switches to Livingston after Falkirk exit

Scott Arfield has joined Livingston after the veteran midfielder's release by Scottish Premiership rivals Falkirk.

The former Burnley and Rangers 37-year-old, capped 30 times by Canada, has signed a short-term contract until the summer with his hometown club.

Arfield returned to Falkirk, where he had began his career, in February after leaving Bolton Wanderers.

But, after helping John McGlynn's side win the Championship title and promotion, he asked to be released from his contract last month after failing to command a regular starting place on Falkirk's return to the top flight.

Arfield started the season by scoring twice in a 7-0 thrashing of Brechin City in the Premier Sports Cup, but he has made only four league starts, scoring four times in 20 appearances overall, for the side currently sitting sixth in the Premiership.

Falkirk manager John McGlynn said on Thursday: "Scott's getting on in years, obviously getting towards the end of his playing career, and he needs to be playing.

"He wasn't getting the game-time that would satisfy him. He was brilliant all the way through. He came in and had a chat with us two or three weeks before and he gave us his intentions."

Arfield becomes Livingston's fourth signing on the January transfer window as manager David Martindale looks to lift them off the bottom of the table.

Joshua Zimmerman has been bought from Dutch club TOP Oss, fellow forward Alex Tamm is on loan from Olimpija Ljubljana in Slovenia, while midfielder Emmanuel Danso signed after leaving Norwegian club Stabæk.

Arfield, who started with local youth side Murieston United and also went on to play for Huddersfield Town and Charlotte, will wear the number 37 shirt, with Emmanuel Danso switching to number 20.