Preston snap up baggie!

Preston have signed midfielder Darren Carter for a fee that could rise to £1.25m. Carter has signed from West Brom, where he joined from arch rivals Birmingham two years ago. However during his stint at West Brom he didn`t get many first team opportunities so he decided to move on and manager Tony Mowbray was more than willing to let him leave. “He told me he wanted to figure more regularly this season. I couldn`t promise that so when Preston came calling, I think it was a move which suited all parties”

The 23 year old central midfielder has cost an initial £750`000 but that fee could rise to £1.25m. West Brom have also managed to insert a 20% sell on clause into the deal, meaning the West Brom camp must believe he has potential to do well and earn them even more money. He is what the Preston fans really wanted to see due to the lack of depth in midfield in the squad. Carter is seen as a class player and will fight with McKenna and Nicholls for a spot in central midfield. It`s unsure whether he will feature against Norwich because he hasn`t trained with the team much but he is likely to cover for McKenna until he returns in October.

The Birmingham-born lad decided to move on from promotion hopefuls West Brom because he has fallen down the pecking order despite the loss of Jason Koumas. He is Preston`s fourth summer signing but Preston are still looking for a striker to bolster their squad and help them to a promotion chase.

Paul Simpson was ecstatic with his latest acquisition after he signed a four year deal. The player is already experienced in this league after scoring the penalty shoot-out winner to send Birmingham into the Premiership when he was only 19. Carter is still young and regular football at Preston should see him improve even more.

Carter is over six foot so a big presence and has a great left foot, who likes to dictate play as a creative midfielder. Simpson has thanked his chairman for allowing him to spend on both Carter and Nicholls this summer, Simpson has also stated he is satisfied with his midfield options now and is concentrating on signing a striker.

Carter has already played with Lonergan when they were both in the youth set-up for England but it seems Lonergan has lost his place in goal to Wayne Henderson. Carter has stated that he has always been impressed when he has played at Deepdale “You can tell it`s a club going places” The playmaker hopes to make his debut tomorrow against Norwich.