Sunderland stopper Jordan Pickford loaned to Preston North End

Preston North End have secured the season-long loan of Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The 21-year-old made 33 appearances in League One for Bradford City last term and now makes the step up to the Championship with newly-promoted Preston.

"As soon as we got wind that Jordan was available then we decided to sign him," Lilywhites boss Simon Grayson told the club website.

"We knew we needed to make the decision very quickly because he's a good, young, up and coming goalkeeper who has some good experience, he did very well at Bradford City last year and we feel he is going to fit well into the squad and have a really good season with us."

Pickford's arrival and the fact that he has been given the number one shirt suggests that Preston will not be re-signing Manchester United keeper Sam Johnstone, who impressed on loan with the Lilywhites last term.