Newly-promoted Championship side Bolton Wanderers have brought in Kilmarnock and Scotland Under-21 midfielder David Watson as their first summer signing.
Wanderers have agreed an undisclosed compensation package for the 21-year-old, whose contract at Killie expires this month.
The move, on a three-year deal with the option of a fourth, will be completed when the summer transfer window opens on 15 June, subject to international clearance.
Watson joined hometown club Killie at the age of seven and, after making his first-team debut at 16, went on to make 140 senior appearances, scoring 13 goals.
He told the Wanderers’ website:, external “It’s a different challenge for me. I’m really looking forward to it and I can’t wait to get started.
“Kilmarnock will always have a special place in my heart. I loved every minute of being there, but I just felt it was time for me to move on and go and do something different, so I’m really excited to get going.”
Bolton beat Stockport 4-1 in the League One play-off final on 24 May to ensure a return to the second tier and Watson added: “I’m sure we’ll not be here to make up the numbers and that’s not something that I would want to do either.
“There’s nothing better than playing in a full stadium and in front of great fans that give you that extra bit of momentum and that extra push to work even that bit harder so I can’t wait for that, too.”
