Preston North End have completed the signing of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on a season-long loan from Premier League Sunderland.
The 21-year-old custodian, who has been at the Stadium of Light since he was eight-years-old, signed a new four year deal there over the summer.
The highly-rated England U20 international spent a large chunk of last season on loan Bradford City, playing in the only game that North End lost at Deepdale in 2014/15.
The Lilywhites beat a host of clubs to his signature and have allocated the Sunderland-born stopper the No.1 shirt.
The ‘keeper ended last season with a trip away with England U20s to the Toulon tournament and recently traveled with Dick Advocaat’s first team to America and Canada, making his first team debut, playing the full 90 minutes against Mexican side Pachuca.
Manager Simon Grayson was delighted with the latest addition to his squad and has been impressed by his development so far.
"As soon as we got wind that Jordan was available then we decided to sign him.
“We knew we needed to make the decision very quickly because he's a good, young, up and coming goalkeeper who has some good experience, he did very well at Bradford City last year and we feel he is going to fit well into the squad and have a really good season with us."
Speaking about his move Pickford added: “I got the phone call from my agent last night and asked if I fancied it and obviously I said yes. It's a great chance for me to play in the Championship, I've done the other leagues and this is the next step up for me which is great."