Ruari Paton is set to secure a permanent exit from Port Vale to St Johnstone after a previous loan stint at the Perth club.

The 25-year-old striker was gifted an opportunity to establish himself as the main man at Vale Park in the wake of Lorent Tolaj’s exit to Plymouth Argyle, but failed to capitalise with just one goal in 13 League One matches last season.

Paton Ends Vale Stint

Now, according to the Dundee Courier, St Johnstone are set to sign Paton on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell with the Saints in the Scottish Championship.

He was shipped off to McDiarmid Park in January with Port Vale looking to add new options to their ranks in the form of former Rotherham United man Martin Sherif.

Simo Valakari was in need of his own forward recruitment following Stockport County‘s signing of Adama Sidibeh, and landed on the Irishman, who became a hit with five goals and an assist in 13 games.

It is believed that Paton has negotiated himself out of his contract in Burslem in order to join St Johnstone, who open their Premiership campaign against Kilmarnock at the start of August.

Best Move For All

With Port Vale heading down to League Two after a poor showing, Jon Brady will want to hit the reset button, and getting rid of some of his fringe players will be key to that.

Ruari Paton had an opportunity to make himself the main man at the club following the sale of Lorent Tolaj in the summer, but had some fairly underwhelming numbers and saw Dajaune Brown earn the favour of then manager Darren Moore.

Paton seemed to have much more joy with St. Johnstone following his loan stint there, and allowing him to leave his contract early in order to head back to Perth is probably the best move for all involved.

Whether he can still deliver given the Saints’ step back up to the Scottish Premiership remains to be seen, but Simo Valakari is a believer that the 25-year-old can be the one to deliver brighter days ahead for his side.