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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Scott Sinclair seals Celtic exit as winger signs permanent Preston North End deal

Scott Sinclair has joined English Championship side Preston North End on a permanent deal.

The Celtic winger will attempt to kickstart his campaign under former Hamilton boss Alex Neil after falling well down the Parkhead pecking order.

Sinclair, who was set become a free agent this summer, has penned a two-and-a-half-year contract at Deepdale for an undisclosed fee.

Sinclair left Celtic's winter training camp in Dubai on Tuesday and Neil Lennon confirmed earlier today he was set to move south in search of regular football.

(SNS Group)

The 30-year-old made just seven Celtic appearances during the first half of the season, last featuring in the dead rubber Europa League defeat to Cluj on December 12.

A £3million signing from Aston Villa in August 2016, Sinclair was a key member of Brendan Rodgers' Invincible Treble winning squad.

The winger struck 25 goals and swept the board at the end of season award bashes.

He scooped both Celtic's Players and Fans' Player of the Year honours, as well as being named PFA Player of the Year and the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year.

Sinclair scored 62 goals in 167 appearances and was a vital member of the squad that sealed a historic treble Treble.

Brendan Rodgers has a word with Scott Sinclair as the pair make their way to the pitch (SNS)

The wide man admits he cannot wait to get started at his new club as he revealed Alex Neil's role in getting a deal over the line.

He told Preston's official website: “I am so delighted to get the deal done. I have been waiting to finally get down here to sign and I can’t wait to get started and to finally meet the lads.

“I spoke to the manager before I came and he spoke about training, about the tactics and I like where the club is heading – he persuaded me to come and I am so happy.

“I have had a fantastic three-and-half-years with Celtic, we did the treble-treble, I got the PFA player of the year, scored goals and was top goalscorer, but now it is a new chapter for me. I am coming here to improve and to help the team push for promotion.”

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