Preston take Pickford on loan

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North End had been keen to sign Manchester United’s Sam Johnstone, who helped them to promotion during a loan spell at Deepdale at the back end of last term.

However, with Johnstone having gone away on the Red Devils’ tour of America, and doubts persisting about the futures of David De Gea and Victor Valdes, Grayson has been forced to play a waiting game on his number one target.

With Jamie Jones the only other senior goalkeeper on the books, the club have now brought in 21-year-old Pickford too.

The England U20 international spent last season on loan with Sky Bet League One club Bradford and has also enjoyed spells with Carlisle, Burton, Alfreton and Darlington.

“As soon as we got wind that Jordan was available we decided to sign him,” Grayson said.

“We knew we needed to make the decision very quickly because he’s a good, young, up-and-coming goalkeeper who has some good experience, he did very well at Bradford City last year and we feel he is going to fit well into the squad and have a really good season with us.”