The move has been rumoured for a couple of weeks or so now, but it is now being reported as a done deal with McArdle signing a pre-contract agreement with the Scottish side.

McCardle, who became the first Rochdale player to ever score at Wembley, will make it a two year contract with Mark McGhee's side when his contract with Dale expires in June.

He had been offered a new deal by Dale, but with uncertainty about first team football at Spotland and the fresh challenge of the SPL, he has opted to try his fortunes elsewhere.

It is a bit of a murky area as to whether Dale will receive any compensation for McArdle leaving the club. Certainly had he signed for another English club, then we would have been entitled to a fee.

But given that he is changing football associations, there is an assumption that it will be a free transfer. However, there are noises from Spotland suggesting that we will still be entitled to a token amount, 

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