Young defender Clive Smith was delighted to sign his first professional contract with North End, and can't wait to get going.
Smith put pen to paper on his first deal and fully appreciates the opportunity given to him by the Club
"I'm over the moon, I'm really thankful for the opportunity and I've just got to kick on now and try and get myself into the squad.
"I'm really grateful to the gaffer and the Club for giving me this opportunity, I'm just hoping I can grasp it with both hands now and kick on."
"I was always hoping for a contract but football is a difficult game and things can change quickly and I was just trying to keep pushing on in the hope that I would get the chance and I am grateful that I have."
Smith has been training regularly with both the first team and the Academy, also featuring in pre-season for Simon Grayson's side, so it should be a simple transition for the young defender when he joins the first team on a permanent basis.
"I've only been here for two years, after my first year I was excited to get back to pre-season training for my second year and I was given the opportunity to play in the pre-season friendlies in Scotland and I was really thankful for that.
"I've noticed a big difference in stepping up, the pace is quicker, the physicality was more intense and it was a real eye opener for me.
"Being around the first team has been great, the lads have been outstanding with me, they've made it a lot easier for me to play my normal game and train. It can be a bit daunting at first when you make the step up but they welcomed me with open arms and they've been really good.
"The senior pros have been helping me and giving me advice on how to improve my game as well which is great.
"The manager is great here, I'm really thankful for this opportunity he has given me, he's shown that he trusts me and he's allowed me to train with the first team and I really appreciate that and obviously appreciate him giving me my first contract too.
"Also I have to thank the staff around the youth team as well, Nick Harrison, Andy Fensome and Stuart and all the staff as they've really helped to push me on and supported me during my time with them."
For me the next step is to try and get myself in and around the squad on matchdays, it will be difficult but it's my main aim to get as much game time as possible for the first team.
"There's a big difference in the Championship so it's a big step up, I've noticed the difference just by watching the games in League One to this season in the Championship but the lads have coped really well and I've got to try and keep up with that standard."