Preston North End have secured the services of Northern Ireland midfielder Jordan Thompson on a two-year contract following his release by fellow EFL Championship outfit Stoke City.
The 28-year-old, who will join Preston on 1 July after making 178 appearances during a five-year spell at Stoke, told the club website he was thrilled to get the deal over the line quickly.
“I’m delighted” said Thompson, who hails from Antrim. “It’s been quite a quick turnaround and I’m glad it’s all done now. It’s a massive club and it’s one that I want to be part of.
“I’m looking forward to getting in pre-season, meeting the rest of the boys and the staff properly and getting going.”
Also speaking to the club website, Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom said he was delighted to make the left-footed midfielder his first signing of the close season.
He pointed out: “I’m really pleased we’ve got our summer business started so early and delighted Jordan has joined us. He’s a player we knew all about anyway from playing in the Championship and we’ve been watching him closely with a view to bringing him in."
“Jordan’s a top professional and a talented footballer,” added Heckingbottom, who has the option of keeping him for an extra year.
“He likes to get on the ball and he adds a bit of balance to the midfield, too, being left-footed. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
The former Manchester United trainee, who has also had spells at Rangers, Airdrie and Blackpool, is one of the more senior players in Michael O’Neill’s talented young squad having amassed a total of 39 caps since making his full international debut against Panama seven years ago.