St Mirren Football Club can confirm that Craig Samson has left the club to take up a role at Sunderland AFC.
Sammy, who has had two spells with Saints, retires after making over 150 appearances for the Buddies between 2010-2013 and 2017-2018.
In his time at St Mirren, Craig won the League Cup, the Ladbrokes Championship and broke the record for consecutive clean sheets at home.
As part of the move, Sunderland have agreed to play a pre-season match against Saints at the Simple Digital Arena in summer 2019.
Craig said: "I’d like to say thank you to the St Mirren fans for the way they’ve treated me and my family.
"It’s the best club I have ever been at. The way they have treated me, and everyone associated with me, has been absolutely amazing.
"I know it’s not ideal timing, but it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up on.
"We had talked about the option of staying until January and playing until then but we all agreed it was best that we let the club go on.
"I hope the club can do really well and stay in the division as they really deserve it."
St Mirren manager Oran Kearney said: "First and foremost, we’d like to thank Craig for his magnificent service to the club.
"He’s been a great character and an ultimate professional in my time at the club and goes with our best wishes.
"We discussed the option of Craig staying until January, but we feel it is in everyone’s best interests that he takes up his new role with immediate effect."
Everyone at St Mirren would like to thank Craig for all his efforts during his time at the club and wish him all the best in his future.
