Brian Reid is on the hunt for a defender after James McGowan left Albion Rovers for a new life in Australia.
The 29-year-old, who was born in Germany, spent the last two seasons as a mainstay under Reid having joined from Troon, in what was his second stint at the Coatbridge club, after an initial spell in 2012.
But the centre-back played his final game for the club in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Bonnyrigg Rose ahead of taking his family Down Under for a new job.
And that means Reid needs to bring in a replacement for a key position.
The Cliftonhill boss said: “Gowser going is a blow for us because he has been a good solid player for me in the time I’ve been at Albion Rovers.
“He does what it says on the tin, big Gowser. He’s a good, honest professional and it will be a hard player to replace.
“I thank him for his efforts at the club and wish him all the best for the future in Australia.
“He was working on the railways here but he’s got a job over there now. It’s a good move for him and his family, and we wish him all the best.
“We will need to see if we can get a centre-half in to replace him because that leaves us a bit short.
“The player coming in will probably have to be a loan or a young one, but that’s just the way things are for us.”
Reid will have an extra 24 hours to tie up any last minute signing deals this summer after the transfer window was extended by the SPFL.
The period for clubs in Scottish football to complete any comings or goings was set to expire at midnight on Wednesday, August 31, but that deadline has been put back 24 hours amid a hectic Premier Sports Cup last-16 card that evening.
The deadline does not apply to free agents, who can sign after the midnight deadline on September 1, while clubs outwith the Scottish Premiership will still be able to complete loan deals if the players are coming from a higher level.
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