Preston North End youngster in unexpected position after earning pro deal and trip to Spain

Amaral has impressed in his second year as a scholar and so has been given a one-year-deal with the club holding the option for a second.

The club kept him around this summer as his scholarship ended and have rewarded his performances with a pro deal, the 18-year-old featured in North End’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Tranmere Rovers behind closed doors on Tuesday.

It has all come about quite quickly for Amaral, who joined the club at U12 level and was important part of a double winning season for the U19s last time out.

He told the club website: “When you sign for Preston, the aim and what you’re always getting told is you want to sign a professional contract.

"You want to be in and around the first team to get that exposure to first team football so it was always the aim.

“Twelve months ago, I probably wasn’t looking at myself being in the position that I am now, but around the end of the season I really picked up my game and worked with the coaches at the U18s and I’m here now.”

Amaral will be keen to continue to impress boss Ryan Lowe and he will have that chance in Alicante, as North End jet off for their training camp in Spain.

Lowe feels that easy part is done for Amaral after securing his deal, the hard part comes next as he should kick on.

He said: “We noticed Dana towards the back end of last season and we really liked him.

“He’s one that burst on to the scene late and sometimes your first impressions are the best and his were very good, we’re really pleased he’s signed a contract.

“We feel he can be a good midfielder for us in that number four position and we feel he can learn off all the senior midfielders in that position.

“It’s over to him now to keep impressing. The easy part is getting it, the hardest part is sustaining it, so we’re hoping he can keep learning.

"He’ll be on the trip with us to Spain so we’re looking for him to kick on.”