Preston North End goalkeeper Declan Rudd signs new contract to extend his stay at Deepdale

Rudd, 29, would have been out of contract in the summer but has agreed terms to extend his stay at Deepdale until June 2023.

He has been an ever-present in the Championship this season, with his form getting stronger under the watchful eye of goalkeeper coach Jonathan Gould.

Rudd said: "It is something we have been talking about for quite a while. My wife and I both decided that I am happy at Preston North End and it is the perfect thing to do.

"As a goalkeeper you peak a bit later; I am 29 now and at this age you are just starting to become a mature goalkeeper.

"I have played over 250 games now at a variety of levels, made the mistakes, had good games and I feel it is more natural to me now and I don’t have to think about it too much and that is important.

"This season has been a good one for me and in the next three years, hopefully I can keep going.

“Also, to be in the situation like we are, to keep running as normal, is credit to the owner and what he has done.

"This was a huge reason for me for wanting to stay at the club, because it is run properly and that is important."

His association with North End dates back seven years to when he came on loan from Norwich City in January 2013.

Rudd spent the second-half of the 2012/13 season on loan and then returned on a second loan spell for the whole of the 2013/14 campaign.

In June 2017 he signed for PNE on a permanent deal in a quest for regular first-team football.

During Alex Neil's reign, Rudd has in the main been the No.1 choice when fit.

In total he has made 160 appearances in the North End keeper's jersey.