Ashbee seals Preston switch

Preston North End have finalised the signing of Ian Ashbee on an 18-month contract from Hull City.

Midfielder reunited with former Hull boss at Deepdale

Preston North End have finalised the signing of Ian Ashbee on an 18-month contract from Championship rivals Hull City. Skysports.com revealed last week that Preston boss Phil Brown was lining up a reunion with the experienced midfielder. Ashbee was skipper during Brown's time as Hull boss and he had the distinction of captaining the Tigers during their rise up the ladder and into the Premier League. He missed all of last season with a knee injury, but has made 20 appearances this term following Nigel Pearson's appointment as manager. However, the 34-year-old handed in a transfer request upon learning of Preston's interest and he was left out of the Tigers' 0-0 draw with leaders Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. Sheffield United are also understood to have been keen on Ashbee, but he has plumped for the opportunity to work with Brown again. Ashbee will go straight into the squad for Tuesday's game at Barnsley and he becomes Brown's first permanent signing since he replaced Darren Ferguson at Deepdale.