LYLE TAYLOR has clinched a sensational return to Partick Thistle after agreeing a loan deal until the end of the season.

 

The striker became a huge hit with the Firhill fans last term after joining Alan Archibald's side on a temporary deal from Sheffield United in January.

He played a key part in keeping the Jags in the Premiership as he netted seven goals in 20 appearances during the second half of the campaign.

Archibald was keen to land Taylor on a permanent deal in the summer, but narrowly missed out on his signature as he opted for a return to England to join Scunthorpe United.

His final appearance for the Irons came at the weekend as he came off the bench in the 4-1 League One win over Leyton Orient and he has now clinched a deal to return north of the border.

The 24-year-old could make his second Thistle bow this weekend when Archibald's side face Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup.

The arrival of Taylor came just hours after the Jags confirmed that striker Nathan Eccleston had left the club by mutual consent.

Eccleston made 11 appearances after putting pen to paper on a one-year deal in the summer and scored two goals for the club, netting the winner against St Mirren in September and completing the scoring in the 5-0 win over Hamilton Accies last week.

A Thistle spokesman said: "All at Partick Thistle wish Nathan every success for the future and thank him for his service to the club."