IRISH LEAGUE: Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter hails capture of '˜winner' Michael Gault

Gault has agreed a two-year deal with the Danske Bank Premiership champions and will move to Seaview in the summer.

The Crues currently sit eight points clear at the top of the Premiership as they set their sights on back-to-back titles.

But already hungry boss Stephen Baxter is looking to the future with the capture of 32-year-old Gault.

“Michael will be another positive addition to our squad when he arrives in the summer,” Baxter said.

“He brings a wealth of experience with him and he has won everything going.

“He still has that winning mentality, and he is hungry for more. That’s what you want at any club – that mentality.”

Gault – who won seven league titles at Linfield before joining Portadown in the summer of 2014 – was being linked with a number of Irish Premiership clubs, including Ballymena United, Cliftonville and Coleraine.

“Michael is 32, but he could play for a few years yet,” Baxter added.

“He has that energy and enthusiasm, and he is coming here to try and win more silverware. We are delighted to get him.”

Gault is Crusaders’ second major signing of the transfer window.

The champions also claimed Ballymena United star David Cushley on a pre-contract earlier this month.