Liam Grimshaw is aiming to follow in the footsteps of David Beckham and Danny Welbeck after completing his transfer from Manchester United to Preston North End.

The 20-year-old midfielder has signed a two-and-half-year contract with the Lilywhites for an undisclosed fee and becomes yet another player to make his way from Old Trafford to Deepdale.

United legend Beckham had a short stint with Preston in 1994/95 while Welbeck, now with Arsenal, spent time on loan in 2010.

"If you look back over the last few years there have been people like Danny Welbeck who have come here and of course David Beckham when he was younger," he told the club's official website.

"There have been a lot of other permanent signings from Manchester United as well and hopefully this is a good chance for me to come here, play and improve."

Grimshaw spent the first half of the season on loan at Scottish Premiership club Motherwell and is now hoping to make an impact for Simon Grayson's Preston who sit 13th on the Championship table.

He was accompanied by his former United teammate Ben Pearson, who also joined PNE from United this month, on his club journey to Deepdale.

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

"I followed Ben's [Pearson] progress as well and it is the same situation; we have gone out and managed to play some league games and now we have got our moves.

"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."