Preston North End are pleased to confirm Aaron Bennett has signed a one-year professional contract with the club.
The midfielder, who has just completed the second year of his scholarship, had a one-year extension triggered on his existing deal in April, while also being offered professional terms.
That contract has now been agreed and signed by 18-year-old Bennett, keeping him at PNE until at least the summer of 2023, and the club have an option to extend this by a further year.
Aaron said: “I’m just pleased and happy to get it over the line, and I’m ready to start a new season.
“My aim is just to kick off pre-season well, to start fast and see how I go for the beginning of the season.
“I’m ready to try and make an impact as soon as I can.”
Despite being sidelined for ten months of his two-year scholarship with PNE, Aaron has been in terrific form since his return from injury, scoring 11 goals in as many games in Youth Alliance League and Cup fixtures.
He has also recently been training with the first team at Euxton and is expected to be back with the senior squad when they report for pre-season.
Manager Ryan Lowe said: “We’ve been very happy with the way Aaron’s returned from injury and he’s been scoring plenty of goals in that attacking eight role with the Academy.
“As I’ve said previously, it’s a challenge for him now to get himself as fit as possible and to come back in pre-season firing on all cylinders.
“He’s been up with the first team in the past few weeks and seems to have settled in well, so we’re looking forward to taking another look at Aaron in pre-season.
“He’s obviously seen that we’ve given his mate Mikey [O’Neill] the chance and we’re hopeful a few more can push their way in as well, and that could well be the case for Aaron.”