St Johnstone have confirmed that double cup-winning goalscorer Shaun Rooney will leave the club to sign for Fleetwood Town.
The defender will depart at the end of the month when his contract expires to sign a two-year deal with the English League One side.
The 25-year-old helped Saints retain their Premiership status with goals in both legs of their 6-2 relegation play-off final win over Inverness CT.
Rooney joined the club in June 2020 from Caley and played a pivotal role in St Johnstone’s historic cup double-winning campaign last season, scoring the winning goals in each final.
The football club made Shaun an offer to stay but he made it clear he wanted to go to England and he will become new Fleetwood Town manager Scott Brown’s first signing.
Shaun said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my two seasons at St Johnstone.
“They have been the happiest and most successful of my career.
“The memories of scoring in both cup finals will never leave me.
“The pleasure it gave the St Johnstone supporters was an absolute privilege and an honour for me.
“To round it off by scoring our fourth goal on Monday night will be unforgettable.
“Getting the chance to celebrate in front of a jumping McDiarmid Park will never leave me.
“However, I want to try my luck down south once again and Fleetwood Town are giving me the opportunity to do so.
“I would like to wish the gaffer (Callum Davidson), the coaching staff, Liam Gordon and the squad, the board and the supporters all the very best for the future.”
Saints boss Callum Davidson said: “We wish Shaun all the best at Fleetwood Town.
“He has played a huge part in what has happened at this football club the last two seasons and he gave his all in every game.
“As a manager, we can’t ask for any more than that.”
Meanwhile Saints were drawn in Group F of the Premier Sports Cup with Queen of the South, Ayr United, Annan Athletic and Elgin City.
The first matchday will take place on the weekend of July 9-10 with the fixtures still to be decided.
