Dundalk's Europa League adventure has come to an end, and after impressing with their side and making their way into Martin O'Neill's international squad, both Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle are leaving the club for pastures now.
The pair have repeatedly been linked with a move to Preston North End in recent weeks, and while Boyle's departure had been confirmed on Twitter by his representatives, the speculation continued around what step Horgan would take next.
However, on Monday morning, Dundalk issued a statement to confirm that both players would be heading to England after an excellent season in the League of Ireland, and breaking new ground in the Europa League.
Confirming the moves, Dundalk stated that: "Both players will move to Deepdale on two and a half year contracts from January 1st pending international clearance.
"Both players were integral to the three SSE Airtricity League titles which the club won, the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup, the EA Sports Cup and the President’s Cup over the last three seasons," the statement added.
Speaking about his move, Boyle said he felt that after a "brilliant" spell with Dundalk, he feels Preston is the correct move for him.
"I had a brilliant four years at Dundalk. I don’t think anyone could have imagined the success that we had. Winning trophies and obviously the European run that we had this year. It has been brilliant to be a part of. My team mates and staff have been fantastic at the club. It was a great four years.
"I’m looking forward now to the next part of my career at Preston North End. It is the right move for me. From being over and looking around the place it is a great club and great facilities. I am looking forward to getting going now."
"The target is to get into the team first and then see what happens. Hopefully I can impress enough to get into the squad in the league and into the international squad but the first thing is to get into the Preston team," Boyle added.
Horgan echoed those sentiments, stating that he;s looking forward to a new challenge at Preston after an amazing run with Dundalk.
"Incredible is the only word for the three years I had at the club," Horgan said. "To win everything and to do what we did in Europe was special. It was a special time for me and for the club as well.
"The league titles were something unique, especially considering where we came from. To win three on the bounce was amazing, and in some sense unprecedented from what was expected.
"It’s a new challenge at Preston and new adventure for myself and my family. It is something that if I didn’t take the chance to go now I would have been left wondering 'what if?' more so than anything else. It was always something I have aimed for, and unfortunately it has come at a time when football in Ireland is probably at its highest point. It was something I couldn’t turn down."
The statement added that: "Everyone at Dundalk FC would like to wish Andy and Daryl all the very best at Preston North End and in their future career."
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