Hamilton: Jason Scotland exits Accies as Lee Lynch signs

Jason Scotland has made 13 appearance for Hamilton this season

Veteran striker Jason Scotland has left Hamilton Academical as the Scottish Premiership club recruited former Limerick midfielder Lee Lynch.

Scotland, 35, has made 15 appearances this season, mostly from the bench, and Accies agreed to his request to leave as he searches for first-team football.

Lynch, who has signed until May 2016, joined hometown club Limerick in July.

The 23-year-old had started the Irish top-flight season with St Patrick's Athletic but fell out of favour there.

The former Republic of Ireland youth international was on West Brom's books as a youngster before joining the Glenn Hoddle soccer academy in Jerez, Spain, and going on to have spells with Drogheda and Sligo Rovers.

Lynch is unlikely to feature against St Johnstone on Sunday as Accies are awaiting international clearance.

Scotland, who won 41 caps for Trinidad and Tobago, will definitely not play at McDiarmid Park after being released from his contract.

Accies player-manager Alex Neil told his club website: "Jason has been a model professional during his time with us and has had a big influence in the dressing room, particularly with the young players.

Kieran MacDonald made 13 appearances for Dumbarton on loan but has returned to Hamilton

"I've no doubt that he will add these same values to his next club and he will always be made welcome here at Accies."

Scotland made 34 appearances and scored 11 goals, two this term, since joining Accies in January 2014 after leaving Barnsley.

His long career previously took him from San Juan Jabloteh and Defence Force in his homeland to Dundee United, St Johnstone, Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Ipswich Town.

Accies chairman Les Gray‎ added: "Jason has been a great signing for us but understandably wants more game time, as recently his appearances have been from the bench.

"So we have agreed to his request to leave us and find a new club."

Meanwhile, Accies' Under-17s midfielder Ronan Hughes has signed professional terms until May 2017 after turning 16.

He is joined in the first-team squad by full-back Kieran MacDonald, who has returned from a loan spell with Dumbarton, and defender Aldin El Zubaidi, who had been with Arbroath.