DEFENDER Ben Davies has signed a new three-year deal with Championship Preston North End.

The Barrow 21-year-old's career appears to be on an upward trajectory since Alex Neil arrived in the manager's seat at Deepdale this summer.

He has featured in six of North End's seven pre-season friendlies, coming on as a substitute in Friday's 5-1 win over Fleetwood for his latest appearance.

Having been on the last year of his existing contract, Davies's new deal will keep him at PNE until 2020, having come through the Lancashire club's academy.

He has had four loan spells away from Preston over the past few seasons, spending time with York City, Tranmere Rovers, Southport, Newport County and Fleetwood Town – where he played 26 games last season.

Davies will be out to add to his seven appearances for the Lilywhites, and told Preston official club website: “I'm over the moon, I came back in pre-season not really knowing what to expect but obviously trying to make my stamp in the team and with the new manager coming in and showing faith in me it's a great boost so I'm delighted.

“I came back a lot more confident and that paired with the manager coming in and showing faith in me, I feel like a different player this year.

“I think the days of playing full back are behind me now and I can concentrate on playing more in the centre of defence and getting us playing from the back and keeping clean sheets.

“I like passing the ball about and the gaffer wants to have a lot of possession and play attacking, exciting football. We are young and hungry so we are all looking forward to what the season might bring. Not just this season, but the coming seasons too.”