Australian defender Bailey Wright has agreed a new two-year deal at the Club with an option for a third year.
The 20-year-old centre half, last Sunday crowned the Club’s official young player of the year for 2013, had recently had an option implemented on his old deal that would have taken him until the summer of 2014, however, he has agreed new terms that mean he is signed until a minimum of the end of June 2015, with a further year on the cards at the Club’s discretion.
Wright, who has captained the Club at both youth team, reserve team and first team level, made 40 appearances for the Lilywhites in 2012/13, his break out year, having come through the youth system after moving from Melbourne in 2009.
He scored his first goal for the Club on Sir Tom Finney’s 90th birthday last season and added two more this campaign, including one in the first game after Graham Westley’s departure as manager.
Speaking about the extension Wright said: “I’m delighted to sign a new contract, obviously I had my year extension triggered the other week but I’m delighted to have signed this contract and to be here for at least another two years.
“I have been here four years now and I have been enjoying my time here and I am really looking forward to next season.
“Personally, I have enjoyed my season.
“I have been happy with how I have progressed and developed, I have a lot of developing to do but it’s nice to be rewarded for your hard work with a new contract so I am delighted.
“I want the club to be as high as possible when I get to the end of this contract, in all seriousness that could be the Premier League.
“The Championship is where a Club like this should at least be, it’s a big club, we have a good team and it is a good setup here.
“All the lads will tell you we have the same goals and that is to go win the league next year.
“It’s not going to be easy, but that’s what we want and that’s where it deserves to be and what we are aiming towards.
“I have been here since I was 16, this Club has given me my chance and I have enjoyed it.
“The fans are superb, the people around the Club are brilliant, the lads are good, I like where I live, I am settled and for me, its home just about now.
“My life is here and I am enjoying it and I am settled.”
Manager Simon Grayson added: “We are delighted Bailey has agreed to extend his stay with us.
“Since we arrived at the Club he has shown what he can do and has also shown a willingness to learn and capacity to improve further, which is a vital attribute in any young player.
"He formed an excellent partnership with Paul Huntington in the last dozen or so games and we look forward to seeing him develop even further over the next few years and seeing him become an important part of a successful Preston North End."