Preston North End sign Manchester United youngster Liam Grimshaw

Preston North End have announced the signing of Manchester United youngster Liam Grimshaw on a deal that will run until the summer of 2018.

The 20-year-old, who joined United's academy in 2002, will not feature for the League One club for a few weeks as he needs to undergo minor surgery.

"I have been at Manchester United a long time, but I am ready to move on and make a career for myself," Grimshaw told the club's official website.

"I have really enjoyed my time at Motherwell and I would like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to play every week. It is a great club and I really enjoyed it there. The loan move has really benefited me.

"This is a chance to get my career going. It is great to be back home in Lancashire and I am looking to get settled and start to kick on with my career."

Grimshaw spent the first half of the season on loan at Scottish outfit Motherwell.