Warrington Rylands striker Adama Sidibeh joins St Johnstone

The 25-year-old striker, who is Blues’ leading scorer this season, has joined Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone after an undisclosed transfer fee was agreed with the Gorsey Lane side.

There is no “loan-back” option in the deal, so the Gambian frontman leaves Rylands with immediate effect to join the side that currently sits 10th in Scotland’s top flight.

"The board and all involved at the club are delighted for Adama to get this move to the top level of Scottish football and would like to thank him for some of the great memories he leaves us with this season," a Rylands statement confirming the deal read.

"Our best wishes to both the player and St Johnstone for the future."

Having joined from Cheadle Heath Nomads in the summer, Sidibeh has spearheaded Rylands’ challenge for promotion from the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

He has scored 16 times in 30 appearances in all competitions having struck up a superb partnership with Mo Touray, who has struck 10 times.

Sidibeh leaves with Michael Clegg’s side sitting third in the table ahead of Bradford Park Avenue’s visit to Gorsey Lane on Saturday.

This goal against Macclesfield on New Year's Day turned out to be Sidibeh's last for Warrington Rylands (Image: Mark Percy)

A move to provoke mixed feelings – analysis

By Matt Turner

The overriding feeling of everyone at Warrington Rylands will be one of pride in Adama Sidibeh following his move to St Johnstone.

For things like this are part of the circle of life in non-league football – young players make a name for themselves at this level for a chance to pursue their dream of playing the game full-time.

Clubs such as Rylands have a responsibility to put their own goals aside in situations like this, and this is another example of them doing just that.

In following Callum Dolan and Elliot Nevitt in moving straight from Gorsey Lane to the professional ranks, Sidibeh has only boosted the club’s reputation of being a springboard for talented players and that will help them when it comes to attracting such players to the club.

Given they find themselves in the thick of a promotion race, however, losing their biggest attacking weapon is at the very least a blow to their ambitions of staying in the race.

The numbers tell you as much – Sidibeh has netted 16 times in all competitions this season, the rest of the current squad have scored 30 goals between them.

It will be difficult if not impossible for Michael Clegg to find a player with Sidibeh’s deadly combination of raw pace and power but in Mo Touray and the newly-signed Dan Cockerline, two proven frontmen at Step Three remain.