Thanks to the Times and Star
Morton midfielder Joe McKee says he is poised to sign for Carlisle United.
The 23-year-old claims he has agreed a two-year deal with the Blues after talks with manager Keith Curle.
United are staying tight-lipped on the possible move, with a deal not yet completed for the out-of-contract player.
But McKee, formerly with Burnley and Bolton, has already spoken of his excitement at what he described as an imminent move.
He said he first met Curle last Monday and agreed a deal "in principle" three days later, claiming he could sign later this week.
Speaking to the Greenock Telegraph, McKee said: “I had said to the gaffer [Jim Duffy] that he would be the first person I’d let know, so I spoke to him on Thursday to let him know that I’d agreed a two-year deal with Carlisle.
“Returning to England was something I couldn’t knock back. I’ve come back up the road and played quite a few games for Morton, so to get the chance to go back down was a great opportunity.
“I knew about Carlisle, that they are a big, big club. Moving there was a big attraction, and that was reinforced by going down and seeing the stadium and meeting the manager.”
Curle did reveal last week that he had held talks with a Scotland-based player, and it is believed McKee has been in the Blues' sights for several weeks.
He has attracted interest from other clubs, including several north of the border, having turned down a contract extension at Morton.
But McKee said he was impressed by Curle's sales pitch, which included a pledge that his passing style would fit in well at United.
He said: “I had a good chat with the manager there, and there were a lot of similarities with the way the gaffer is at Morton.
“As soon as I spoke to him I could see there were similarities in philosophy in terms of wanting me to get the ball down and get it passed.
“That’s stood me in good stead before under the gaffer up here, so I’m hoping it’s the same down there.”
McKee said he would have stayed at Morton had there been no interest from south of the border.
He added: “When the chance to go and play in England came up, I just felt it was a great opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. I’m looking forward to getting started now.”
Glasgow-born McKee, a former Scotland Under-19 international, has spent the last three seasons at Morton.
He was a regular in their side last season, making 31 appearances and scoring four goals for the Championship side, and made 80 outings overall.
After boyhood spells with Dundee United and Livingston, he moved to Burnley in 2009, where he came through the youth side to win a professional deal, later joining St Mirren on loan before a switch to Bolton.
After failing to win a first-team place with the Trotters, he joined Morton in 2013.
Curle has already spoken of his wish to add more flair to his midfield options for the 2016/17 campaign.
A Blues spokesman said: "We don't comment on potential transfers until everything is signed, sealed and delivered."