Andy Boyle is leaving Dundalk to join Championship club Preston North End, writes Stephen Barry.
The 25-year-old centre-back’s move had been widely speculated in the build-up to the Irish Lilywhites’ final game of the season in Israel, and news of the deal has today been confirmed by his agent, Patrick Conliffe.
His teammate and PFAI Player of the Year Daryl Horgan is reported to be close to following Boyle to Preston as both players are out of contract.
They would add to an already sizeable Irish representation at 14th-placed Preston, made up of Aiden McGeady (on a season-long loan from Everton), Greg Cunningham, Alan Browne and Eoin Doyle. Alan Kelly is also at the club, as goalkeeping coach under manager Simon Grayson.
Conliffe wrote on Twitter: “Delighted to confirm that Full Contact client @Aboyle_4 has signed for @pnefc. (It) has been an amazing journey to date for a model professional!”
Delighted to confirm that Full Contact client @Aboyle_4 has signed for @pnefc has been an amazing journey to date for a model professional! pic.twitter.com/4qvnh8ZRCF
— Patrick Conliffe (@PatrickConliffe) December 9, 2016
Neither Preston nor Dundalk have officially confirmed the deal.
Boyle has won three League of Ireland titles and an FAI Cup in his four years at Dundalk. He previously lined out for UCD and Shelbourne.
Preston’s first game after the January transfer window opens is away to Burton Albion in the league, followed by the visit of Arsenal for an FA Cup third round tie.
