New Signing: James Craigen joins The Spartans

Posted on Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

Our third new signing of the close season is the vastly experienced SPFL campaigner, James Craigen. The versatile Englishman – who plies his trade in the heart of midfield, makes the short trip across the capital where he joins from FC Edinburgh.

32 year old Craigen started off his footballing career with a decade at Preston North End as a young player before making a move to Edinburgh where he commenced his studies at the University.

Naturally, JC combined his Sports Business Recreation Management degree studies with playing for the Edinburgh University side. He was also been a part of the Scottish University team that won the BUCS Home National football tournament in April and the Great British University team that finished runners up to Japan in the 2011 World Student Games.

In his final year of Uni, Craigen made the leap from non-league football to Scotland’s second tier, joining Partick Thistle where, against Greenock Morton, he scored the decisive goal that sealed Thistle’s promotion to the Scottish Premiership.

Craigen spent time on loan at Forfar Athletic, and after leaving Partick Thistle, played with Raith Rovers, Falkirk, Dunfermline Athletic.

A move back across the border then saw him join English National League side A.F.C Fylde before he took to the high road once again, this time for a spell at Arbroath.

After 63 appearances and 5 goals at Gayfield, it was a return to the Capital last year for Craigen who joined FC Edinburgh in SPFL 1.

We look forward to seeing our latest new addition at Ainslie Park in action in the near future.