Preston North End complete the signing of Ben Whiteman from Doncaster Rovers

The deal for the 24-year-old was finalised on Thursday morning after Whiteman had agreed terms and passed a medical earlier in the week.

Although the fee is undisclosed because of EFL rules, it is understood to be in the region of £1.5m, plus add-ons.

He has signed a three-and-a-half year contract at Deepdale.

Whiteman was one of PNE's main transfer targets for the January transfer window, with him able to play in any midfield role.

He has a goal him, having netted 25 times for Doncaster, while he can do the defensive side of the game too.

North End have now signed four players during the window, Whiteman following loanees Jayson Molumby, Ched Evans and Daniel Iversen into Deepdale.

Whiteman said: "I'm over the moon to be at this massive football club.

"There weren’t many sides that I would have moved onto from Doncaster, but this ticked all the boxes and once I spoke to the manager it was a no brainer for me.

“As soon as I had finished with him, I had made my mind up straight away. He spoke very well and spoke very highly of the football club and I can’t wait to start.”

North End manager Alex Neil was delighted to have completed another deal for a much sought-after player.

“We have been after him since the window opened and we have managed to stave off a number of other suitors, who were interested, so it has been great business from us," said Neil.

“He is a player who has his best years ahead of him. He is only 24 and I am really happy that we have managed to get him in.”

Whiteman will join his North End team-mates for training at Euxton on Thursday morning and be in the squad for Saturday's visit to Bristol City.

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