Kean has been with St Mirren for more than three years

Queen of the South have snapped up Stewart Kean for next season after St Mirren told the striker he would not be offered a new contract.

The 25-year-old joined the Scottish Premier League outfit from Ayr United in 2004.

Queens boss Gordon Chisholm told his club website: "I'm sure he'll be an asset to the club."

Kean said: "They're a team on the way forward and I'm only sorry I'll be watching the cup final from the stand."

Queens say they have beaten several other clubs to Kean's pre-contract signature and reaching the Scottish Cup final would have helped them do so.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to the movements at Palmerston and St Mirren Park

St Mirren have also told striker Alan Reid that they will not be extending his contract.

Midfielders Stephen O'Donnell and Garry Brady have been offered one-year deals.

But Buddies manager Gus MacPherson has rubbished reports linking him with Celtic forward Paul McGowan, who spent time on loan at Cappielow.

"When Morton tried to buy him from Celtic, they were quoted a transfer fee of �250,000," he told St Mirren's website.

"For that type of fee, there is no chance of us going for him."

MacPherson confirmed that he was still interested in Inverness Caley Thistle forward Dennis Wyness but has still not heard from the striker's representatives.

The Buddies boss also said he knew nothing of reported interest in midfielder Andy Dorman.

MacPherson pointed out that Dorman, who has been linked with Bolton, Plymouth, Crewe and Carlisle, still has another year of his contract to run.