Liam Delap has joined Preston North End on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 19-year-old spent the first months of the campaign at Stoke City - where he scored three goals in 22 appearances - but saw his time at the Bet365 Stadium cut short at the turn of the year amid interest from top-end Championship clubs.
One of which was Preston, who sit just two points below the play-off places and are badly in need of goals. Ryan Lowe's side are the lowest scorers outside the bottom five and were keen to add the City teenager in a bid to push for the top-six through the second-half of the season.
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Speaking to Preston's official website, Delap said: "I’m buzzing. It’s such a great club and I’m really excited to meet the boys and play in front of the fans. I’ve spoken to the manager and I’m really happy with what he’s got to say and the style of football he plays, so I can’t wait to get playing under him.
“As a striker at the end of the day, the manager wants goals so that’s what he’s said to me. I trust myself in front of goal. I trust myself to get in the right positions so if I get the opportunity then hopefully I can bring that.”
Preston manager Lowe also admitted his side had been keen on Delap over the summer after his form for City's under-23s, with a fresh chance to take the striker on board mid-season too good to miss.
“With him being called back now we felt it was important to make our move, and I’m really pleased we’ve got it over the line," Lowe added. “He’s a good lad, a good footballer and a goalscorer. He just needs an opportunity to score goals and hopefully we can give him that."
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