King was previously an apprentice with the Borders

Melrose back James King and Edinburgh Accies back-row forward Dave Denton have been handed professional contracts with Magners League side Edinburgh.

And hooker Andrew Kelly and flanker Fraser McKenzie have secured new deals with the capital outfit.

Denton, 20, a product of Scottish Rugby's National Academy, has signed a two-year contract with Edinburgh.

For King, 24, his one-year deal marks a return to the professional game, having played for Italian club L'Aquila.

Almost a year ago, the Berwick-born Scotland age-grade and club international was contemplating whether he would continue to play rugby at all.

But, after his second season at Melrose under the tutelage of Craig Chalmers, King said he had taken encouragement from his new Edinburgh team-mates, Mark Robertson and John Houston, who had also been signed from club sides.

"It does show that if you play consistently well in Premier 1 that there are chances to win a pro-contract and I'm determined to take my chance," said the player who began his career as an apprentice with the Borders.

James King's the sort of player we want in midfield - a ball player Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat

Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat is hoping that King will help his side play flowing rugby.

"We are looking at James to play midfield, most probably at 12," he said.

"He is a ball-player and we've signed him because of the quality of his performances in the club game.

"He's the sort of player we want in midfield - a ball player."

Zimbabwe-born back-row forward Denton has also been signed on the back of good performances in the Scottish Hydro Premier Division 1.

And he follows Watsonians' Stuart McInally, the number eight with whom he helps form a voracious back-row in the Scotland Under-20 side, in signing with Edinburgh for next season.

Moffat described Denton as a "big, physical, ball-carrying forward. He'll provide the physical presence that's such a vital ingredient to back-row play."

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Edinburgh-born Scotland A international Kelly, who has played 126 times for the club, has agreed a new two-year deal.

"Ned has had a good season and we want him to kick on and continue that drive to get better next season," said Moffat.

"You could argue that he's in a tough position when we have Ross Ford in our squad. But he has pushed Ross really hard all season and that's what we want - real competition for a starting place."

The coach thought that 22-year-old Scotland A cap Fraser was facing a "big season" after being handed a one-year contract.

"The past year has been a bit frustrating for Fraser," explained Moffat.

"He was on the bench around eight or nine times for us, but the forthcoming season will be important for him and we'll be looking for him to play more rugby for us."

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