Thursday 15 October 2015 17:15, UK
Striker Jordan Hugill has signed a new contract with Preston that will see him remain at Deepdale until the summer of 2018.
The 23-year-old moved to the Lilywhites in 2014 from Port Vale but is yet to start a league game for the club after battling injury and then going on loan to Tranmere and Hartlepool.
However, he has scored four times for North End and manager Simon Grayson believes there is more to come from Hugill.
"When we signed Jordan we knew we were getting a raw, hungry young player with a lot to learn," Grayson said on his club's official website.
"Last season he did well for us when he was involved, contributing to the team, but it was a stop-start year because of his injury. He worked hard to get back from that and continued to work hard in pre-season.
"He has been a major handful for opposition defenders when he has been involved and whilst there is still a lot of work to be done for him, he is a willing worker and provides something different to the other striking options we have in the squad and we are delighted to be able to work with him and will hopefully continue to see him improve over the next three years."
Hugill believes the North End contract will give him extra confidence as he fights for game time alongside Joe Garner, Will Keane, Eoin Doyle, Stevie May and Jermaine Beckford.
"I'm absolutely buzzing to get a new contract and I can get my head down now for the next few years and see where I go from there," he added.
"This is a big boost confidence wise; there is nothing more you want as a footballer than to know you are secure for the next two and a half years.
"I can just concentrate on my game now and try and repay the faith the manager has shown in me."
