David Grondin has signed for Dunfermline

Dunfermline Athletic's close relationship with Arsenal secured the services of French wing-back David Grondin, according to the Scottish club's manager.

Grondin signed an 18-month contract with the Scottish Premier League outfit after failing to win a permanent place in the first team during his four years at Highbury.

And Pars boss Jimmy Calderwood believes it was the links he and assistant Jimmy Nicholl have established with Arsenal coaches Liam Brady and Pat Rice that allowed the Fife club to beat off competition for the 22-year-old Frenchman's signature.

Calderwood wasted no time in moving for a player with Champions League and Premiership experience after being tipped off about his availability.

He's trained every day with a lot of quality players Dunfermline boss Jimmy Calderwood

"I'm obviously delighted," said Calderwood. "I had hoped to get it done last week with a loan thing, but the rules have changed again and we had to do it a different way.

"But we got a bit of help from Arsenal. They are trying to help us and, if they've got somebody they want to put on show, or if the lad needs a game somewhere then they will tell us.

"We have had a lot of injuries on that side and we had a look at the quality and the pace he's got and he came highly recommended.

"It is an 18-month contract, but he won't be going back. They've done a deal with him and his agent and it's a minimum of 18 months here.

"After that, he'll either play here or go somewhere else, but he won't be going back to Arsenal. We just have to wait and see how he does in that period.

"It wasn't exactly shrewd business on my part. We have got a lot of ties at Arsenal, which helps a lot.

"Me and Jimmy know Liam Brady and Jimmy knows Pat Rice very well, so the two clubs are close like that so it helps."

Dunfermline have been in lacklustre form following the winter break, but Calderwood hopes his new signing will be a major help in the race for Uefa Cup qualification.

"He's trained every day with a lot of quality players and you've got to be a good player to do that and hopefully he will take us on another step forward," he said.

Grondin faces a difficult first test, with Dunfermline on Saturday looking for their first home league victory over SPL leaders Rangers since 1970.

He made only four first-team appearances during his time with the English champions.

Grondin had arrived at Highbury from French club St Etienne for �500,000.

He spent last season on loan with Belgian side Beveren and also had a spell farmed out to French side Cannes.