Kilmarnock sign free-agent striker Bruce Anderson after Livingston exit

Former Livingston striker Bruce Anderson has joined Kilmarnock on a two-year contract, the club have announced.

The 25-year-old was a free agent after three years with the Lions and initially appeared to be seeking a move to England after turning down the chance to stay in West Lothian.

However, Anderson explained that the lure of working under manager Derek McInnes and playing in Europe next season helped convince him to pledge his future to Killie.

“I am really happy to get it all done, I am over the moon to be here,” he told the Ayrshire club’s website.

“The manager was very influential in getting me here, I’ve known him for years, after talking to him I feel like this is the best place for me to be.

“I had options, what made Kilmarnock feel like the right choice though was watching them last season, the way they play really suits me.

“It’s nice to be settled now, I can go into the summer with a focus on coming back to pre-season as best as I can.

“I am coming here to score as many goals as I can, I can’t wait to get going.”

McInnes gave Anderson his debut at Aberdeen as a teenager in 2018 and the manager is looking forward to being reunited with the striker, who scored 30 goals in his three years at Livi.

“There was a lot of clubs interested in taking Bruce,” said McInnes. “A number nine out of contract of Bruce’s age and experience, there’s always that interest.

“We feel like he can complement what we have at the club already, he’s a free agent and he’s a boy I know well, he plays off the shoulder and is a natural finisher.

“If he comes here, works as hard as we expect him to then he can have a really rewarding time here.”

The signing of Anderson was announced on the same day that Killie confirmed Gary Mackay-Steven has agreed a one-year contract for next season.

The 33-year-old former Dundee United, Celtic, Aberdeen and Hearts winger moved to Rugby Park last December, initially on a short-term deal, and made 10 appearances in the campaign just finished.

Despite the fact Mackay-Steven was used predominantly as a substitute until marking his first start for the club with his first goal in the 1-1 draw away to Dundee on the last day of the season, McInnes was keen to retain him as the club prepare to compete in Europe next term.

Homegrown striker Innes Cameron agreed a new contract until the summer of 2025 earlier this week, while Killie confirmed last week that they remained in negotiations with Liam Polworth, Marley Watkins, Greg Stewart and Kieran O’Hara, all of whom were running out of contract.