Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield has completed a return to the Scottish Premiership after signing for Livingston on a short-term deal until the end of the 2025/26 season.
The 37-year-old had been strongly linked with a move to West Lothian following his departure from Falkirk earlier this month, and the club have now confirmed his arrival.
In a statement, Livingston said: “We’re pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Scott Arfield on a short-term deal to the end of the 2025/26 season.”
The club highlighted the emotional significance of the move, adding: “A familiar face in West Lothian, Scott joins his home town club, bringing with him a wealth of experience from a career spent at the very top end of both Scottish and English football.”
Arfield’s journey has taken him from local youth football with Murieston United to the Premier League, the Scottish Premiership title with Rangers and a European final, and now back to his roots.
After beginning his professional career at Falkirk, the midfielder moved south in 2010, enjoying successful spells with Huddersfield Town and Burnley, where he helped the Clarets win promotion to the Premier League.
In 2018, Arfield returned to Scotland with Rangers, becoming a key figure during a trophy-laden period that included the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup.
Spells in the United States with Charlotte FC and in England with Bolton Wanderers followed, before a return to Falkirk last year, where he helped the Bairns secure promotion and win last season’s Scottish Championship.
Livingston’s statement referenced that success, noting: “We came up against Scott as he lifted the Championship trophy with the Bairns.”
Following his exit from Falkirk, manager David Martindale moved quickly to secure his signature, making Arfield Livingston’s fourth signing of the January window.
Speaking to the club after completing the move, Arfield revealed that his desire for regular football was the driving force behind his decision.
“It was quite quickly, actually,” he said.
“I made the decision, obviously, to leave Falkirk around about two and a half, three weeks ago, which was all really to do with game time, which I was desperate to play. At my age, you’re just desperate to play minutes.”
He added: “There’s obviously no guarantee, but I felt as if I still have moments on my legs, so I felt as if that was going to be the best for me to move on.”
Arfield also spoke warmly about his relationship with Martindale, which played a key role in the move.
“I’ve known him for years. We’ve got mutual mates. Obviously, I grew up in Livingston,” he explained.
“Through the years, we play against each other numerous times, and relationships have just grown stronger.”
The midfielder described the deal as being wrapped up quickly after initial talks.
He said: “I came in here last week, just before the new year, and we basically got it done and bashed everything out. I think it’s brilliant.”
For Arfield, the move is about more than just football. It is a return to the town where he grew up, with his family still based locally.
“Yeah, great. Absolutely brilliant,” he said.
“Everybody, all my family still live in here, out with maybe one or two, so we’ve grown up here.”
He added: “They don’t need to travel for an hour, over an hour, four hours down the road, seven hours over to America.
“They can just jump my bus here, and they’ll be back down here in six or seven minutes.”
Arfield also spoke about the importance of connecting with the Livingston fanbase and strengthening the club’s ties with the community.
“Over the years, they’ve tried so much to get the community to support this club,” he said.
“If I can help in that way, to sort of galvanise the fans and the fan base, obviously, you know that that will just grow stronger.”
On the pitch, Livingston find themselves in a difficult position at the bottom of the Premiership, and Arfield is under no illusions about the challenge ahead.
“I cannae say that I’ve ever been in a situation where this is,” he admitted.
“But I know when you’re in bad form and I know what momentum is. Momentum is the most important thing in football.”
He stressed the need for composure and responsibility during the club’s difficult spell.
“It’s about staying calm in the moments, putting demands on people, putting emphasis on that people pay money to come and watch,” Arfield said.
“You’ve got a duty of care to the fan. You’ve got a duty of care to the people that pay you wages to give everything and that’s the bare minimum.”
Ultimately, the former Rangers favourite believes the solution is simple.
He explained: “You score more goals, you win more games and more people’s happy.”
Livingston confirmed that Arfield will wear the number 37 shirt, with Emmanuel Danso switching to number 20, thanking the SPFL for their cooperation in finalising the deal - Arfield has worn the number throughout his career in memory of his friend and former Falkirk teammate Craig Gowans, who wore the number when he passed away in 2006.
For Rangers supporters, Arfield’s return to the Premiership will be closely watched. A modern-era Ibrox hero and a central figure in the club’s 2020/21 title-winning side, his leadership and experience remain valuable assets - especially in a relegation fight where mentality can be just as important as talent.