TRANENT football ace Dean Brett has signed a new deal at Cowdenbeath, despite the club's relegation.

Brett, who led Cowdenbeath last season, has penned a new one-year deal to remain with the Fifers, who will play in League Two.

The 23-year-old had been linked with other clubs, with Championship side Falkirk among those believed to have been interested in the right-back.

Cowden's relegation was confirmed after a two-leg play-off defeat to Queen's Park, consigning them to the fourth tier of Scottish football.

Player/manager Colin Nish left the club at the season's end, but Brett admits he was won over by new boss Liam Fox.

Brett told Courier Sport: "I went over to Cowdenbeath a couple of times, and it was the manager who turned me round and convinced me to stay.

"Everything he said was brilliant, and he really wants to win."

The popular right-back believes Fox, who joined the club from Hearts' U17 squad, will target an immediate return as champions in his first season.

He added: "Our target will definitely be to win the league.

"If he [Fox] gets the players he wants to bring in, and some of the others from last year sign up again, that's a good target.

"If it comes to the play-offs, though, we'll have a good chance."

Brett also paid tribute to the departed Nish, who handed him the armband last season.

"I was gutted it never worked out for Colin," he said, adding: "He's a good manager and he tried everything throughout last season.

"He was great to me as well – it was just a shame it never worked out."

After putting pen to paper with the Blue Brazil, Tranent ace Brett admitted he had offers from elsewhere, but was keen to stay at Central Park.

Gemma Porteous, the mum of Brett's daughters Mia and the late Molly, lost her battle with cancer in early 2015, and he praised the club for helping him through "the last two years."

He said: "I had offers from the league above, but when it came down to it, my loyalty to the club was too strong.

"Cowden has been great to me.

"Even though I thought of leaving, I want to help get Cowden back up the leagues."