Preston North End have concluded their long search for a left-back by signing Steven Smith on a free transfer from Norwich City.
The 26-year-old Scotsman has penned a one-year contract at Deepdale with the option of an extension.
Smith, who will wear the No.14 shirt, will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s League One clash with Scunthorpe at Glanford Park.
He said: “I’m primarily a left back who can also play left midfield.
“It is a position I enjoy playing, I like to get forward and enjoy a tackle.
“From the first moment I met the manager I knew this is where I wanted to come.
Phil Brown was pleased to finally find a left back: “We have been looking for a natural left footed player to come in and I’m delighted we have got someone with the calibre and pedigree of Steven Smith.
“Former Preston manager Craig Brown has given me some great advice about Steven and we have decided to bring him in.
“Steven now has to get up to speed with the fitness levels of the present squad and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Smith spent four months on loan at Aberdeen in the second half of last season having found first-team football hard to come by at Norwich.
He started his career at Rangers where he was a team mate of PNE defender Brian McLean.
New boy Juvhel Tsoumou will also be in the Preston North End squad for the visit to Scunthorpe United tomorrow.
Tsoumou is available after international clearance came through on his move from German side Alemannia Aachen, and there could be a place on the bench for him at Glanford Park.
Manager Phil Brown said: "With Juvhel, everything is done, we’ve got international clearance through and he’s available tomorrow.
“He’ll give us something a little bit different to Jamie Proctor, Neil Mellor and Iain Hume because all three prefer to be running on to things.
“Juvhel likes to play with his back to goal, likes to back into the central defenders and is a physical presence.
“In his first training session here he got kicked from pillar to post and stood up to that with a smile on his face.
“That for me has the traits of a silent assassin.
“But I don’t want to build him up too big because at the end of the day he’s still only a young pup."
You can also follow Jamie on twitter: @Jamie_Journo
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