Brad Potts has become the Lilywhites second transfer of the day and third of the January transfer window after completing a permanent move from Barnsley.
The 24-year-old has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal at Deepdale and joins for an undisclosed fee from the Yorkshire club.
The Hexham-born attacking midfielder came through the ranks at Carlisle United, making over 100 appearances for the Cumbrians, before a move down the M55 to Blackpool, where he would play close to a further 100 games.
However, the then Tykes boss Paul Heckingbottom signed the new North End No.44 in the summer of 2017 and he has played almost 70 games, scoring 11 goals at Oakwell, including seven in 26 games this season so far.
Speaking after completing the paperwork and his medical Brad said: “I had a chat with the gaffer when I first got here and he told me what he wanted from me and I am looking forward to hopefully doing that for the team.
“A few lads I have played with, have played under the manager at previous clubs and I have spoken to them and they only have good things to say about him, so I am really looking forward to working with him.”
Manager Alex Neil was pleased to get a significant amount of business done so early in the window, saying: “It is especially pleasing with the injuries that we have had of late. We have got three players who we have been tracking and it is nice to get them done.
“Brad is a player we have been watching for a while. He has got goals in his game, both last year in the Championship and again this year. He has really good energy, is a good age and good size. He is a has a good presence and we are looking forward to working with him and hopefully improving.”
He has already played in the Emirates FA Cup this season for Barnsley and therefore will not be available for Alex Neil’s side until the home game with Swansea City on Saturday 12th January, like fellow new recruits Josh Ginnelly and Jayden Stockley.