Nicholls leaves with best wishes

Kevin Nicholls' final game for Preston came on 26 January

Preston manager Alan Irvine has wished Kevin Nicholls all the best after he left the club by mutual consent to join Luton Town on a three-year deal.

North End agreed to pay up Nicholls' contract just 14 months after he joined from Leeds for £750,000.

"Kevin's the type of lad who's desperate to play football and knew it was becoming difficult to get a game." Irvine told BBC Radio Lancashire.

Nicholls, 29, struggled with form and injury at Preston making 18 starts.

He was signed by ex-boss Paul Simpson and took over the captaincy from Graham Alexander who left Deepdale to join Burnley.

Irvine continued: "Obviously Kevin was here when I came, but things have been difficult for him - he's had injuries which haven't helped him.

Kevin's the type of lad who's desperate to play football Preston boss Alan Irvine

"He was in the team and captain but shortly after that he decided it was in his best interests to relinquish the captaincy and straight after that he got injured.

"We moved on at such a pace that while he was out injured he found it difficult to get back into the team," he added.

Nicholls' switch to Kenilworth Road is subject to approval from the Football League.