St Johnstone hand former QPR striker Rowan Vine a contract

St Johnstone have signed Rowan Vine on a one-year contract after the striker's summer release by Queens Park Rangers.

The 29-year-old Englishman had impressed manager Steve Lomas during a successful trial at McDiarmid Park.

Vine signed for QPR from Birmingham City for £1m in 2008 but spent much of his time at Loftus Road on loan.

The London club farmed him out to Hull City, Brentford, Milton Keynes Dons, Exeter City and last season to Gillingham in League Two.

He had suffered a serious leg injury shortly into his time with QPR.

Vine, who cost Birmingham £3m from Luton Town in 2007, scored both goals as a trialist in Saints' 2-1 friendly win over Bristol City on Saturday.

St Johnstone have the option of extending Vine's deal beyond next summer should he prove his worth.

Vine told Saints' website: "I've been working hard in the summer on my own and waiting to speak to people about my future.

"Obviously I've not done a lot of training in team environment and that has been frustrating - I've never been in that position before.

"But I came up last week, felt I did okay and was happy with how I showed up in training and in Saturday's game.

"The team played well and I got a couple of chances and managed to take them, so from a personal point of view it was good to make a positive impact.

"I'm not quite where I want to be with my fitness. But, with the games starting on Saturday, it won't take me long and I'm looking forward to it.

"I've watched plenty of SPL football and I think a change away from England will do me the world of good."