Vale sign Queen's Park's Paton for undisclosed fee

Ruari Paton was third highest scorer in the Scottish Championship in 2023-24

Port Vale have signed Ruari Paton from Scottish Championship side Queen's Park for an undisclosed six-figure fee.

The Dublin-born striker has signed a three-year deal and is the ninth summer signing made by Vale since last season's relegation from League One.

"Ruari is a player that we’ve pursued for a good while now," said Vale boss Darren Moore. "First and foremost, Ruari is a goalscorer.

"He’s a tenacious player who loves to work hard and won’t give opposition defenders a moment’s peace. And he is a wonderful personality with an undying will to push himself."

Meanwhile, Vale defender Alex Iacovitti has moved the other way, returning to Scotland to join St Mirren for an undisclosed fee after a year in Burslem.

After signing from Ross County last summer, the Scotland Under-21 centre-half played 38 times for Vale last season as they were relegated from English League One.