Preston North End have signed Manchester United midfielder Ben Pearson for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Championship side and has been handed the number four shirt.
Pearson spent the first half of the season with League One side Barnsley, where he earned rave reviews for his performances and the move to Deepdale was finalised on Monday with a routine medical.
The Oldham-born midfielder reflected on his time at United in an interview with Preston’s official website and said he was looking forward to making the step up to Championship football.
He said:
I really enjoyed my time at Manchester United, and I can only say good things about them. As a young lad, it is hard to breakthrough there with the players that they’ve got and all of the money that they can spend on players so it’s time to take a step back.
It’s time to jump down a league but with a willing to get back to the top, and I think this is the right time to do that.
Preston manager Simon Grayson also spoke about his new signing:
We knew about Ben whilst he was at Manchester United and he was the right age to go out and get some games and we have kept our eye on him whilst he has been at Barnsley.
He has played close on 50 games on the spin for them. He has played as a holding midfield player; played in a three getting forward, and we see him as energetic, box-to-box, likes a tackle and coming from Manchester United he is decent on the ball as well.
He’s at the right age; wants to go and make a good career in the game and we are delighted that we have been backed by the owner to spend the money to bring Ben here and also delighted he has come here and committed his future to being a Championship player and beyond.
Pearson will be reunited at Deepdale with Sam Johnstone, who joined Lilywhites on loan two weeks ago, and former United defender Marnick Vermijl, currently on loan from Sheffield Wednesday.
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