ALEX Samizadeh has signed a permanent deal with Scottish club Kilmarnock.

The Bolton News understands the striker turned down the chance of a third-year scholarship to pursue a professional deal in the SPL.

Wanderers had initially discussed a loan deal with Lee McCulloch’s side as they waited for the Iran-born 18-year-old to make his decision this summer.

But Phil Parkinson confirmed he could not offer him pro terms, feeling he was not ready to step up into the senior ranks of Championship football.

“He has signed, it isn’t a loan,” he told The Bolton News. “Kilmarnock asked us about taking him on and I just felt Alex wasn’t going to be good enough for what we need.

“He has gone up there now and we wish him the best.”

Samizadeh made two sub appearances for Wanderers, the first of which was as a late substitute at Brentford in the Championship.

He was loaned out on work experience to Conference North neighbours Chorley last season and boasted a competitive scoring record at Under-18s and Under-23s level.

Fans clamoured for the youngster to be pushed towards the senior ranks but speaking after Samizadeh had scored four times against QPR last September, development squad boss David Lee said he was not ready for first team football.

“I think we have to temper expectations a little bit,” he said. “Scoring four goals is great and it is what Alex does – he’s a goalscorer – but there are other parts of his game that we need to improve.

“He has so many good attributes, enthusiasm, endeavour, and over the next 12-18 months if he can focus on developing as a player he will have that opportunity.

“If you thrust him into a first team game right now it could highlight the deficiencies and I think that could be detrimental to his career.”