Hamilton Accies have announced the shock exit of star striker Andy Ryan after his decision to joined Irish Premier side Larne.
The 28-year-old has left the club for an undisclosed fee and it will come as huge blow to the club as the seek to claw their way out of the relegation mire in the Scottish Championship.
It's not the first time Larne have raided Aciies, with defender Shaun Want heading there last summer.
Ryan was the hero for Accies on Saturday as his penalty in their shootour with Ross County sent them through to play Hearts in the last 16 next month. He has scored nine goals in 19 appearances this season.
Accies are expected to announce a short-term replacement for Ryan as early as tomorrow, with 20-year-old Newcastle United striker Dylan Stephenson set to join the club on loan until the end of the season.
A statement from Accies read: "Striker Andy Ryan has departed us this morning for Irish Premier side Larne.
"The club, who we played here in a pre-season friendly, have been keeping tabs on him all season, and with the player’s contract due to expire shortly, and Andy keen on this move, with the prospect of possible Champions League football in the summer, he has chosen to go now after Larne submitted a bid late on Sunday.
"It goes without saying that we say goodbye to a very popular player here, across his two spells, and who had commenced on the coaching path here recently as well. He was very much an Accie.
"Saturday against Ross County was his 149th Accies appearance and perhaps fitting that his last touch was to score the penalty sending us into the next round of the Scottish Cup.
"He joins ex Accie Shaun Want at Inver Park, and Chucky leaves with our very best wishes, and who knows, perhaps he may return for a third spell here in the future."
Larne boss Tiernan Lynch said: “We are delighted to bring Andy to the club, particularly in this window.
“He is someone who has scored more than 100 goals in Scottish League football and has been doing well for Hamilton this season.
“He scored against us in pre-season when we were went over.
“Andy is a striker who can compliment and add to the profile of striker we already have at the club and are hoping he can make a big impact in this second half of the season.
“It’s another key signing for us in January, which is further evidence of the groundwork put in by Gerry Flynn and the coaching staff.”
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