RAITH Rovers have issued a statement on the signing of rapist David Goodwillie from Clyde FC.

In a post on the football team's website, they said "David is a proven goal scorer" adding that they have "carefully considered our position as a Community Club".

They went on: "The management team is familiar with David’s career and background and – in particular – his footballing ability. That is our foremost consideration, and we believe that he will strengthen the Raith Rovers playing squad."

While they acknowledged the signing had "divided opinion amongst our loyal fans and commercial stakeholders", they insisted the club aims to "rebuild that trust". They did not explain how they would do this.

READ MORE: Who is David Goodwillie – 'Rapist' signs for Raith Rovers

The statement concluded: "While acknowledging the gravity of what happened 10 years ago, as a club we fully support and encourage rehabilitation, and many factors influenced our signing.

"First and foremost, this was a football related decision."

The statement follows outrage from fans and the wider public over the signing of Goodwillie, 32, despite a court ruling in a civil case in 2017 that found he and now-retired player David Robertson had raped a woman.

The two men were ordered to pay damages of £100,000 to the woman, but no criminal charges were brought against either of them.

Raith’s director, Andrew Mill, has since relinquished his position on the board in protest over Goodwillie.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown also joined the backlash, while best-selling author Val McDermid withdrew her sponsorship in disgust.

She said: "The thought of the rapist David Goodwillie running out on the pitch at Starks Park in a Raith Rovers shirt with my name on it makes me feel physically sick."

The team's statement on Tuesday night was received horribly on social media, provoking thousands of responses within minutes.

SNP MP Mhairi Black branded the announcement "pathetic" while women's football journalist Amie Cripps wrote: "Not quite sure how many more examples we need before people realise how rife with misogyny football is. They. Do. Not. Care. Scoring goals always seems to be more important than the safety of women. This statement is just another nail in the coffin."

READ MORE: Man United player arrested again on sex assault and threat to kill suspicion

Columnist and campaigner Lesley Riddoch wrote: "How to make a bad situation worse. Raith statement says Goodwillie's 'footballing ability … is our foremost consideration' & since he's played for the club before, he's basically OK. No mention of the rape ruling - lest that sullies their empty press release. Utterly wrong."

Responding to the club's statement, Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: "This statement from Raith Rovers FC is utterly toxic.

"The club has no regard for the impact of rape and sexual violence on victims and survivors. David Goodwillie was ruled to be a rapist and ordered to pay damages in a civil case in 2017. He has never expressed remorse.

"When Clyde FC signed Goodwillie in 2017, rape survivor Denise Clair who won her civil case against him said “They call themselves a family club but what kind of family is that? One without daughters?”

"Are you listening Raith Rovers?"