Ireland international goalkeeper Wayne Henderson has today completed a transfer to Championship promotion hopeful’s Preston North End after losing his first team place with the Seagulls.

It turn’s out Henderson had handed in a transfer request on Monday and after turning down a request earlier in the season the club felt they couldn’t turn down Henderson’s second request.

Speaking to Seagulls.co.uk about the new Henderson said:  “I think from Wayne’s point of view he found it difficult being left out. From my point of view I thank him for his service to the club.

“He has always been professional when he has played, but I felt he handed in his transfer request a little too soon.

“He’s got his reasons for doing that, and part of that is because of his international career, but I feel that he has served the club well and I wish him all the best for the future.”

Henderson joined the Seagulls at the start of last season initially on loan from Aston Villa before completing a permanent £20,000 transfer. The 23-year-old keeper made a total of 54 first team appearances for the Seagulls keeping fans favourite Michel Kuipers out of the first team.

And it was perhaps the fact Henderson was being picked ahead of Kuipers that meant many Albion fans never really took to the young goalkeeper.

Henderson joins Preston for an initial fee of £150,000 rising to £200,000 dependant on appearances and has signed a three-and-a-half year deal.

Added on Wednesday, January 31st, 2007 at 6:14 pm under News by Wilka.