Peterhead manager Jim McInally has confirmed that attacker Niah Payne has advised him that he will not be returning to the club after turning down the offer of a new contract.
Despite the manager’s disappointment at the hard-working former Bradford City youth ending his time at Balmoor Jim praised the 23-year-old former Shaw Lane, Goole and Bridlington player.
Jim said: “Niah came up from his home-town of Leeds to join us in January 2021 however a Covid shut-down meant that he went home for a couple of months without kicking a ball. He made his debut when league football resumed in March last year and since then he has gone on to become firmly established in our team.”
“He has worked hard in every game he has played and never gave opposing defences a minute to rest. I am disappointed that he is not coming back but he has a young family that he has spent a lot of time apart from and I can fully understand why he is looking elsewhere.”
Niah played in 53 games for the Blue Toon and scored four goals with his assists well into double figures with Jim adding: “I hope he can get his career going again somewhere closer to home.”
