New signing's delight at Preston North End move

2:42pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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New Preston North End signing Barry Nicholson has expressed his delight at joining Deepdale.

The former Aberdeen midfielder has been a free agent since his contract with the Scottish Premier League club expired at the end of the season.

But despite being offered a new deal at Pittodrie, 29-year-old Nicholson opted for a move south.

He told the club’s official website: “It's been a bit of a weird summer for me, not knowing where I was going to be playing next season. To finally come down and get things sorted out has been brilliant.

"Aberdeen offered me another contract, but the chance to come and play in England was the reason I chose to leave the SPL.

"I just felt that at this stage in my career I was ready to give it a go and luckily enough Preston wanted to give me the chance to come down. It's a great challenge for me, and one I'm looking forward to.”

He also revealed that North End defender Michael Hart - a former team-mate at Aberdeen who signed for the Lilywhites in January - was instrumental in persuading him to make the move to Deepdale.

He said: “There's been a bit of interest in me - I heard a little bit about it back in January. I've spoken to Michael and I spoke to the manager this week - it just seems like it's going to be a great place to play.

"Obviously the stadium's being completed, which makes it a great place to play football, and as for the Club, they want to play the game the right way.”

Meanwhile, North End manager Alan Irvine says he is delighted to have captured his first summer signing.

He said: “I know Barry as a player and I have heard great reports about him as a lad and as a professional, I'm delighted to have him here.

""Barry was very, very keen to come here as opposed to going elsewhere and I'm delighted about that. The fact that he was so desperate to sign for Preston was a factor, we want people here who desperately want to play for the Club."