Caley Thistle forward Billy Mckay will complete his £150,000 move to English Championship side Wigan Athletic today after agreeing personal terms with the Lancashire club.
Inverness accepted the offer from the Latics on Tuesday night and Mckay travelled south for talks yesterday.
The Northern Ireland international will have the second part of his medical today before joining Malky Mackay’s struggling team, who are 23rd in the table and who earlier this week sold Scotland midfielder Shaun Maloney to MLS side Chicago Fire.
Mckay, 26, is the Caley Jags’ leading-scorer this season with 10 goals, and will leave after spending three and a half years at the club, having moved to the Highlands from Northampton Town under Terry Butcher.
After struggling to make an impact in his debut season, scoring just three times, Mckay went on to net 62 goals in 141 appearances.
During his time with Inverness Mckay became an international, making his Northern Ireland debut in a 0-0 draw against Malta in 2013.
Mckay turned down a contract extension and the Highland club’s board have decided to sell now rather than lose him for nothing in the summer as a free agent.
That prompted Wigan to make their move following the departure of Maloney and midfielder Callum McManaman who was sold to West Brom for £4.75million yesterday.
Although time is running out for Inverness to replace Mckay, chairman Kenny Cameron said his club has been prepared for the attacker’s departure.
Cameron said: “Billy has never hidden his ambition to compete at the highest possible level and has always conducted himself in a professional manner.
“We are forever mindful of the risk of losing players during any transfer window and, as always, have contingency plans in place.”
Manager John Hughes has until Monday night’s transfer deadline to replace Mckay, who was the only senior forward at the club, or else look to the free agent market.
The loss of Mckay comes as a fresh blow for Inverness after captain Graeme Shinnie agreed a pre-contract with Aberdeen on Sunday.
Dons manager Derek McInnes does not expect to sign Shinnie before the end of the window.
McInnes said: “I’m not expecting Graeme to be here during this window. We tried to get him in the summer and that wasn’t possible.
“Now we have him for next summer and we will just be patient and look forward to having him here.”