AN AYRSHIRE amateur team have announced a home town hero as their latest marquee signing.

Ex Ayr United forward Mark Shankland has joined Ayrshire AFA side Mauchline United, who are preparing for life in the First Division in 2024-25 after winning the Second Division title last season.

The move will see the 28-year-old attacker step down from the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL) Premier Division after a strong season with Troon.

He also brings plenty of pedigree to the amateur ranks, with a CV that many players would be proud of.

Shankland first burst on to the scene in 2011 with Ayr United.

He came on as a substitute in Somerset Park club's final match of that season, becoming the club's youngest ever player at the time, as he was still two months short of his 16th birthday.

The attacker also made one appearance for Scotland's under-17 side the following year.

Shankland spent a further three seasons at Somerset, breaking another record when he became the club's youngest scorer just weeks after his 17th birthday - though that record has since been broken.

He departed in 2014, signing for Auchinleck Talbot. where he went on to become a club legend.

'Shankers' spent nearly a decade with Tommy Sloan's side, winning numerous trophies and entering the Beechwood Park history books when he was part of the Bot side who knocked his old club Ayr out of the 2018-19 Scottish Cup, earning Talbot a place in the competition's fifth round on what was, and remains, a top contender for the biggest day in the club's history.

He joined Troon at the beginning of last season, but has now decided the time is right to turn out for his hometown club.

Announcing the signing on social media, a Mauchline United AFC spokesperson said: "The club are delighted to announce the signing of local boy Mark Shankland.

"Mark had senior spells at Ayr United and briefly at Albion Rovers before engaging in a very successful junior career at Auchinleck Talbot, winning numerous trophies along the way, before moving on to Troon Juniors/

"Mark will bring a wealth of experience to club both on and off the park."