ST MIRREN have suffered another high-profile departure after the Paisley outfit confirmed chief executive Brian Caldwell is to stand down.

Caldwell joined the Paisley side from Ayr United in 2007 as general manager and was promoted to chief executive five years later.

The 46-year-old is now working a two-month notice period but news of his exit comes just four days after boss Ian Murray quit with his side sitting third bottom of the Ladbrokes Championship.

Caldwell is now heading to a club down south but declined to reveal the identity of his new employers.

However, he said: “I’m sad to be leaving St Mirren as I’ve made a lot of good friends at the club and in Paisley during my eight years here.

“I will miss the place, I got a lot of good memories from here. I spent a lot of my time working on major developments from the club such as the move to the Paisley 2021 Stadium and the new training ground. The League Cup win was also one of the best days of my life.

“The club has had a tough time recently with its relegation from the Premiership but my decision to leave has nothing to do with that. It’s a great opportunity for me both professionally and personally and one I could not turn down.”

In a statement, the Saints board said: “The board wish to thank Brian for his hard work and wish him every success when he moves to his new position after the new year.”

Meanwhile, St Johnstone’s John Sutton could be heading back to St Mirren – so long as the next boss of the Paisley club approves the deal.

It is understood the striker was being lined up for a return to his old club, with a loan move discussed.

But it has now been thrown into doubt by Ian Murray’s decision to resign after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Dumbarton.

The deal could be resurrected, though, so long as the new man to take over at St Mirren gives it his blessing.

A compromise agreement for the Englishman’s wages would also have to be struck between the two clubs.

St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour is still wading through a list of managerial candidates, but an appointment could be made by the turn of the year.

Former Millwall and Dundee hitman Sutton won a First Division winners’ medal in 2006 during a two-year stint with St Mirren before moving on to spells with Wycombe, Motherwell and Hearts.

But he has made just four starts under Tommy Wright since signing for St Johnstone in the summer and has not featured at all for the Perth side since a substitute run-out in last month’s 1-1 draw with Dundee.

His only goal for his new side came on the opening day of the Premiership season against Hearts and he has since dropped behind Steven MacLean, Graham Cummins and Michael O’Halloran on Wright’s list of attacking options.