Source: SKY_Sports
Preston exit hurts St Ledger
Sean St Ledger has described leaving Preston for Middlesbrough as the 'saddest day of his football career'.
The defender completed his loan move, with a view to making the deal permanent in January, on Tuesday with the 24-year-old making his debut as an 82nd minute substitute in the 3-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday that night.
St Ledger revealed that he was leaving Deepdale with a heavy heart but admitted he was moving because he thought Gareth Southgate's men had more chance of reaching the Premier League than North End.
Preston signed St Ledger from Peterborough in summer 2006 and the centre-half saw his impressive performances endear him to the North End faithful.
"I'm majorly disappointed to leave, it's the saddest day of my football career," he told Preston's official website.
"It was my decision to leave, all it came down to was that I thought Middlesbrough have a better chance of getting into the Premier League.
"I'm ambitious and that's where I want to be. I've also got my international aspirations. I've just got into the Ireland squad and I want to stay in there and play against some of the best players in the world.
"The financial side of things is always going to be better but the main reason is Premier League football and I think everyone would agree that Middlesbrough have got a greater chance of getting there.
"If Middlesbrough are doing well in January they can go and spend a few million whereas Preston can't.
"I realise that times are hard at Preston and that is probably one of the reasons why I have been sold at this stage."
St Ledger was upset at having to say goodbye to the fans but was most disappointed with having to end his working relationship with manager Alan Irvine, who he credited with making him into the player he is today.
"Some of the boys used to say that he was my dad," he added.
"I've got a great relationship with him and I have got maximum respect for him. He's the best coach that I have worked under and some of the things he has taught me, if I hadn't come across him in my life, I might not be the player that I am now.
"I've got a lot of learning to do, the one thing that he did tell me was that you become a better centre-half in the later years of your career.
"I felt comfortable going to talk to him if I had any problems, if I did anything wrong I felt comfortable going to him and he usually had the right answers.
"The same goes to all the staff, it's a great set-up, the staff are brilliant and the boys are brilliant."
