ROSS COUNTY striker and last season's Premiership top scorer Liam Boyce has joined Burton Albion for an undisclosed fee. 

The English Championship club announced on Tuesday that they have paid a club record transfer fee for the striker, who scored 23 times for the Staggies last season.

Boyce has followed in the footsteps of Jackson Irvine, the Australia midfielder who moved from County to Burton last summer, after signing a three-year deal with the Brewers.

The 26-year-old's domestic form continued on the international stage at the end of the season when he scored the winner for Northern Ireland in a friendly against New Zealand. 

Boyce told Burton's website: "I’m absolutely buzzing to finally get it done. There’s been a lot of speculation so now I’m just happy to be here.

“I kept in touch with Jackson after he came down here. He has done well and it has been a good platform for him to come and play his football.

"He’s been brilliant the past season and I just hope to come in and do the same.

 “I want to go to the next level and, no disrespect to Scotland, but the English Championship is a step up in quality and I wanted to come and test myself.”

Staggies manager Jim McIntyre told the Highland club's website: “It was always going to be difficult to hold on to Liam after the fantastic season he had, finishing top goal scorer in our League.

"We thank Liam for his services to the club and wish him the very best on what is a great opportunity for him personally. 

"I am sure he will be a great success.”

Burton managed to narrowly avoid relegation last season, finishing in 20th place in England's second tier.