North End have today swooped in ahead of a number of other Championship Clubs and SPL giants to sign Polish international goalkeeper Grzegorz Szamotulski on a six month contract.

The 31-year-old custodian, who made the last of 13 caps for his country in a 4-3 win over Serbia in 2003, ended a six-month contract with Dundee United in January and is therefore able to sign for another Club outside of the transfer window.

The Gdansk-born stopper played 23 games for the Tangerines this season in the SPL gaining a number of admirers with his shot stopping and agility and looked set for a move to leaders Rangers, however, North End moved in to take the six foot, two inch keeper to Deepdale for the rest of the 2007/08 campaign with an option for a longer term deal.

With the news that Wayne Henderson could be out for most of the rest of the season, Grzegorz will provide vital competition with Andy Lonergan and Chris Neal for the number one jersey in the important run in.

After spending much of his career in his homeland, Szamotulski moved to Austrian side Strum Graz in 2005 where he made 57 appearances. He moved to Tannadice in the summer after impressing during a trial spell and was a regular in the side until the beginning of January when his contract was up.

Grzegorz will be given the number 22 shirt and will be available for selection for this weekend's game providing the relevant international clearances come through.

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