Midfielder Nick Haughton has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at National League North leaders Salford City for an undisclosed fee from Fleetwood Town.
The 23-year-old had two spells on loan at the Ammies last season and has been impressing for their division rivals Chorley during this campaign.
Haughton has scored 13 goals in 25 appearances this season and told Salford’s website he wants to keep his good form going.
He said: “I’ve worked on my game this year and I feel like I’ve improved at scoring goals which is one of them, and hopefully I’ll be scoring a few more to help the lads on push on for this season.
“It’s difficult but it always is, anyone can beat anyone in this league – it’s just how you turn up on the day. You’ve got to prepare right and you never know what can happen.
“I’m really happy [to be back], looking forward to joining up with the lads and helping the team go forward and push for promotion.
“There’s a lot of things [that persuaded me to come back]. The ambition of the club going forward; the lads are great, a few of them I know from when I was here last time; the managers, and I’m really looking forward to joining up with them!”
For play-off hopefuls Chorley, the loss of Haughton to a league rival will come as a bitter blow.
Manager Matt Jansen added: “We are sorry to be losing Nick who has done a great job for us during his time with the club.”
“I suppose we always knew this could happen, as it is the danger with loan signings who do well, but we have to move on now. We wish Nick all the best for the future.”