Preston have completed the permanent signing of forward Eoin Doyle from Cardiff for an undisclosed fee

Preston have completed the permanent signing of forward Eoin Doyle from Cardiff for an undisclosed fee.

Irishman Doyle, 28, who spent most of last season on loan at Deepdale, has agreed a three-year deal with the Sky Bet Championship club.

"I'm grateful that it's been done so early so I can have a full pre-season with the lads and hopefully go on to have a good, successful season," Doyle told Preston's official website.

"I'm very grateful that the staff wanted me back and willing to get the signing done so I'm delighted to be back, I really am very happy.

"I didn't feel like a loan player last year, but it's always in the back of your mind. That's not that case now which is brilliant and I've got a good few years now here at this club and hopefully they are very successful."

Doyle joined Chesterfield from Hibernian on a free transfer in May 2013. He scored 25 goals for the Spireites during the first half of the 2014/15 season, prompting Cardiff to pay B#750,000 for him in February 2015.

"I don't think people have seen the best of him yet, but I'm confident that he's got the ability to make things happen for us so I'm really pleased," added Preston boss Simon Grayson, who has also signed Simon Makienok, Tommy Spurr and Chris Maxwell this summer.