Savage joins PNE staff

PNE manager Alex Neil with Joe Savage to his left

The 33-year-old Scotsman previously worked with PNE manager Alex Neil at Norwich City and Hamilton Academical.

Savage will head the club's scouting network and assist with player recruitment.

Speaking to North End's official website, Savage said: "I am very excited to join Preston North End.

"The club has a proven track record of signing young, hungry players and improving them and I look forward to playing my part in the continuation of that."

When with Neil at Hamilton, Savage played a big part in studying the Accies' opponents.

In an interview in 2014 when he was Hamilton boss, Neil said: "Joe's role here is vital.

"Between us we study our opponents in depth, for their strengths and weaknesses.

"Every Friday morning, for example, Joe and I will go through our next opponents' game with our players. It is a very thorough job we try to do."

North End had been without a senior scout since Ian Miller left Deepdale in June to follow Simon Grayson to Sunderland.