Preston have ended speculation over the future of Arsenal target Lewis Leigh by tying him down to a new contract.
North End have tonight confirmed that Leigh will be staying at Deepdale for years to come, handing him a deal until 2024.
This is Leigh’s first professional contract, and protects North End from losing the teenager to a number of Premier League clubs.
Football.London reported last month that Arsenal were already looking to prise Leigh away from North End.
Everton, West Ham United and Leicester City were also thought to be keen, putting Preston under pressure.
Frankie McAvoy appears to be a big fan of Leigh, even comparing him to James McCarthy and James McArthur having worked with them at Hamilton Academical.
The 17-year-old has now killed off those Premier League rumours, signing a three-year professional deal.
This is another really positive step from North End when it comes to tying down young talent.
Josh Seary and Noah Mawene have already committed their futures to Preston, and Leigh’s deal is another step in the right direction in terms of bringing through our own talent.
With Ethan Walker, Aaron Bennett, Jacob Holland-Wilkinson and Joe Rodwell-Grant also emerging, Preston could have a number of homegrown prospects in the first-team setup in the coming years – and tonight’s deal may now give North End the freedom to put Leigh into the senior side without fearing losing him.