Stockley makes Championship move after leaving Exeter for Preston

"I'm glad I can come here in a rich vein of form and hopefully I can continue that and offer my qualities to this already strong team. I feel confident and I'm very thankful for the move."

Preston manager Alex Neil, whose side are currently 17th in the Championship, believes Stockley will give him a welcome option up front.

"He is 6ft 3in, he has scored the most headed goals in Europe this year and I think we've got someone who, when the going gets tough and teams hunt us and press us, we can turn the ball up to him, work around him and now when team's sit in, we can put the ball into the box and expect the big fella to hopefully get on the end of some of them."

Stockley is cup-tied for Sunday's FA Cup tie with Doncaster and will be available for the first time when North End face Swansea on January 12.

Meanwhile, Tommy Spurr's loan spell from Deepdale to Fleetwood has been cut short due to injury.

The defender joined Town in the summer but has not featured since September and Preston announced he will have a hip operation later in January.

Preston later announced the signing of midfielder Brad Potts from Barnsley for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old, who has scored seven goals for the Reds this season, has joined North End on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Potts told Preston's official website: "I had a chat with the gaffer when I first got here and he told me what he wanted from me and I am looking forward to hopefully doing that for the team."

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