Skelton was one of Gretna's stalwarts

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies has completed the signing of former Gretna midfielder Gavin Skelton and re-signed forward David Fernandez.

The Rugby Park manager also hopes to tie up a new deal for Mehdi Taouil, but the signing of another ex-Gretna player, Abdul Osman, has hit a snag.

Jefferies told BBC Sport: "Gavin had three or four offers but turned down a better deal to come to us.

"But a niggling back injury has put the deal for Abdul on hold at the moment."

Jefferies is pleased that his squad is already shaping up well for next season after a tough campaign that saw the club finish second bottom of the Scottish Premier League.

Skelton, 27, has signed for two years, while Fernandez has put pen to paper for a year, with a year's option.

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"Gavin has caught my eye over the last couple of years and his former managers - Davie Irons, Rowan Alexander and Mick Wadsworth - all spoke highly of him," said Jefferies.

"Things are shaping up well at the moment and we're very hopeful Mehdi Taouil will sign a new contract next week.

"We're also looking at the possibility of bringing in a couple of strikers on loan from England."

Jefferies is also looking into the possibility of signing young French prospect Amaury Barritault, who has been on trial.

But Kilmarnock must check out first that no compensation is due to previous clubs.