Celtic striker Simon Lynch has signed for Preston in a cut price �130,000 transfer.

The two-and-a-half year deal was completed after Lynch passed a medical on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old had been offered a new deal at Celtic Park by Martin O'Neill but has opted to look for increased first-team opportunities with the Lilywhites.

Deepdale manager Craig Brown was impressed with the talented youngster after he scored a double in last month's 3-1 Old Firm Reserve game.

The ex-Scotland boss expects Lynch to plug the injury crisis gap after striker Ricardo Fuller was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Brown has been under increasing pressure after a disastrous Festive period, when his team failed to collect any points.

Lynch is available for Saturday's home game against Nottingham Forest and Brown is hoping to strengthen his squad further ahead of that clash.