Boro 'keeper heads west

Last updated : 24 March 2005 By Holgate

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Carlo Nash has left the club to join Preston North End in a deal that could eventually be worth £175,000. Once Mark Schwarzer signed his new contract earlier this year the writing was on the wall for Nash.

The 31-year-old has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal at Deepdale, having found first-team opportunities limited at the Boro. This season he has been restricted to four starts, two in the League Cup and two in the Premiership.

Nash joined the Teessiders from Manchester City at the start of the 2003/04 season, but has had to play second fiddle to Schwarzer for most of his time at the club.

However, Lilywhites boss Billy Davies was delighted with his capture, telling the club's official website: "We're delighted to bring in a top-quality goalkeeper with the experience he's got and the level that he's played at, we're just delighted to have him at the club."

"We know all about his goalkeeping, he's worked at some very big clubs in the past few years and I think he's been very unfortunate because he's had to be understudy to some top goalkeepers."

Nash has also played for Wolves, Stockport County and Crystal Palace, making just over 150 senior appearances in total.