St Johnstone: Frazer Wright leaves weeks after new contract

Frazer Wright played 131 times for Saints

Veteran central defender Frazer Wright has left St Johnstone only two months after signing a new one-year contract.

Wright, 35, has only played once for the Premiership side this season.

"The decision for Frazer to leave wasn't an easy one but was done with Frazer's best interests at heart," manager Tommy Wright told the club's official website.

"It gives him an opportunity to play week in, week out, which is important for him."

Saints say Wright had "decided to move on" as he has faced competition from Tam Scobbie, Dave Mackay and summer signing Brad McKay for a starting place.

Meanwhile, Steven Anderson, who partnered Wright as St Johnstone lifted the Scottish Cup in 2014, is due to return from injury after the international break.

"Frazer has been an absolute rock for this football club and has been a tremendous player, particularly in my tenure as manager," added Wright.

"The Frazer Wright and Steven Anderson defensive partnership will be long remembered in the history books of St Johnstone for the success they had together."

Wright began his career with Stranraer and then spent six years with Kilmarnock before moving to top-flight rivals St Johnstone in 2011.

He went on to make 131 appearances for the Perth side, including the club's first major trophy success at Hampden, where they defeated Dundee United 2-0.

The defender described it as "a very emotional day today leaving St Johnstone" and thanked the manager, his backroom staff, his team-mates and the club's fans for theri backing down the years.