Moult 'can't wait to get going' at Preston
Louis Moult has revealed his decision to move from Motherwell to Preston was to take his career path upwards.
The 25-year-old striker will join the English Championship club on January 1 after the clubs agreed a fee understood to be around £500,000.
Up until his recent hamstring injury, which could keep him out until he moves to Deepdale, Moult had scored 50 goals in 98 appearances for the Steelmen following his arrival from Wrexham in 2015.
In a video posted on Motherwell's official Twitter account, the former Northampton forward admitted knowing that "it was going to be my last season" at Fir Park.
And he is relishing his move to Preston, managed by former Hamilton boss Alex Neil, after agreeing a three-and-a-half year deal.
"I can't wait to get going," said Moult, who rejected several offers from the Fir Park club to extend his stay. "In my career path it is a step in the right direction, it is Championship football. I can't wait to get going for Preston.
"First and foremost it is a massive compliment that Championship clubs were looking at me and Preston have come for me.
"It show how much they wanted me in the door by paying a fee for me and I appreciate that and it us to me to repay that faith."
Moult is the Ladbrokes Premiership's leading scorer this campaign with eight goals, netting a further six on the club's run to the Betfred Cup final.
The Englishman was fulsome in his praise of Motherwell and Scottish football.
He said: "This club has been ridiculous for me, in terms of my family, my football, on and off the pitch, it was the right move for me and I enjoyed every moment of it.
"If you would have said I would score 50 goals in two and a half seasons I would have laughed at you. But that was just the icing on the cake for me."
Manager Stephen Robinson told Motherwell's official website that the club had little option but to cash in on an asset instead of losing Moult for nothing in the summer.
He said: "Louis has made a terrific contribution to this football club. We are sorry to see him go at this stage but he leaves with our thanks and best wishes.
"The player made clear he would not be extending his stay after the end of the season. So when the offer came from Preston, we had to weigh up whether the money would benefit the club against the risk and reward of keeping him and then allowing him to leave on a free.
"We accepted the offer based on that it would be best for all parties now that a club has agreed a contract with the player.