Preston North End winger Will Hayhurst has agreed a new two-year deal at the Club.
The 19-year-old’s old contract was extended by a year after an option was triggered in May, however, he has now agreed a brand new two-year contract at Deepdale, tying him up until the summer of 2015.
Will, who had just returned from international duty with the Republic of Ireland U19’s in Serbia, completed the deal on his return to Lancashire and is the second product of the Lilywhites’ youth team to agree a longer term deal this summer, following Bailey Wright’s new contract at the beginning of May.
The No.24 earned his debut at the end of the 2011/12 season and scored his first goal for the Club in Simon Grayson’s first game as manager, at Swindon, in February of this year.
Speaking about Hayhurst’s contract manager Simon Grayson said: “Will was only in his first full season last year and I am delighted with the new contract that he has signed and hopefully he will improve.
“One or two other clubs might have been sniffing around and we wanted him tied down. He will now be looking to improve on the performances that he put in for the Club last year.”
The local left-sided player admitted he was living his dreams at the Club he supported as a youngster: “I have done a lot of things I never thought I would do, like score at Deepdale, and it has been a real dream come true and I am so happy to sign my new contract.
“I am very happy. I wanted it [his contract] sorted before I went away with Ireland. I was itching to get back – every day I was thinking about signing and starting the season with Preston, so after getting it done I am very much looking forward to the new season.
“I can’t wait to get started. It’s a big year for us and I think it will be tough, but I think we can do very well.”