Preston sign Liam Grimshaw from Manchester United

Preston North End have completed the signing of defensive midfielder Liam Grimshaw for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old never made a first team appearance for the Red Devils but spent the first half of this season on loan at SPL side Motherwell where he featured 17 times.

Grimshaw has followed in the footsteps of Ben Pearson who joined the Lillywhites from Manchester United last week.

Preston manager Simon Grayson spoke of his delight at the transfer, telling the club's official website, “We know a lot about Liam. He is another player who is not coming in cold. He is coming in from Manchester United, but he has had three or four months playing up in the SPL with Motherwell and has done very well.

“He is a very versatile player. He can play at right back, he can play on the right side of a three and he can play in midfield. He likes a tackle, has a lot of energy about him and has a good pedigree, because of where he is coming from.”

“He is another young, hungry player that we seem to be developing and attracting. We have some good competition in his area of the pitch and we have some experienced players who will help him on the way.

“Ben [Pearson] did well the other night. He looked very assured and grew into the game and I am sure that when Liam gets his chance he will be the same. We are always looking to improve and take the squad further forward and Liam adds another body to that squad over that next few years.”

Grimshaw will not feature immediately however as he is due to undergo surgery on a minor injury which will rule him out for a couple of weeks.

Preston are currently sitting in 13th place in the Championship following Saturday's 1-1 draw at Birmingham.