Falkirk insist they had yet to complete the signing of Pedro Moutinho. The Portuguese forward was reported to have rejoined the Bairns, with whom he spent four seasons before returning to his homeland with CS Maritimo in May last year.

But the club released a statement this afternoon explaining that while a verbal contract had been agreed, the Scottish Football Association were still in dialogue with their Portuguese counterparts regarding international clearance.

Falkirk head of football development Ross Wilson told the club's official website: "Pedro has been training with the first-team squad for a number of weeks and has impressed the first-team management.

"The player has been involved in a contractual dispute with his former club, CS Maritimo.

"Any finalisation of an agreement with the player will depend on the interpretation of the resolution of this dispute by the Portuguese FA.

"At this stage, the deal has not been completed."