CHRIS Erskine has left Partick Thistle to sign for Premiership club Livingston on an 18-month deal.

Erskine enjoys legendary status among the Firhill faithful after three spells with the club over 10 years.

He initially signed for Thistle from junior outfit Kilbirnie Ladeside back in 2009 and was an integral part of the Jags side that won promotion to the top-flight in 2012/13.

He took a paycut to remain at Firhill following relegation last summer, but he has found game-time harder to come by since Gary Caldwell was appointed as manager in October following the sacking of Alan Archibald.

The situation eventually came to a head earlier this month as Erskine was told he was free to find another club, and Gary Holt has swooped to take the attacking midfielder back into the top division.

Erskine posted an emotional farewell to the Thistle support on his Twitter page, which read: “Thistle has been my life for the best part of the last 10 years and I can’t thank everyone enough for what they have done for me.

“The last 18 months have been tough and I’m sorry to be leaving at a point where the club is in the position it is but the situation I’ve found myself in the last few months has left me without a future here.

“I think the squad of players are more than good enough to get out of the situation they are in and I’m sure with the backing of the fans the club will start moving back up the table.

“I hope I don’t need to say how much I love the club and how privileged I’ve been to play here for so long and I hope me leaving now doesn’t ruin how I’m thought of.

“Partick Thistle will always be my team no matter what.”