West Bromich Albion sign Preston defender Billy Jones on three-year deal

Roy Hodgson, West Bromwich Albion (Getty Images)

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West Brom have made their second signing of the summer after completing a deal for Preston North End’s Billy Jones on a Bosman.

The 24-year-old has signed a three-year deal at The Hawthorns after passing his medical and will officially join the Midlands outfit on July 1 after his contract at Deepdale runs out at the end of the month.

A right-back by trade, Jones joins centre-back Gareth McAuley as the Albion’s second signing in two weeks.

Manager Roy Hodgson expressed how pleased he was to capture the signature of the defender.

“I’m delighted to welcome Billy to the club,” the former Liverpool boss told Albion’s official website.

“We’re really pleased we’ve been able to secure his signature in the face of stiff competition from other clubs for his services.

“It is great that he has chosen our club as the place to further his career and we are looking forward to working with him.

“We have been monitoring Billy’s progress for some time and, like the player himself, we believe this is the right moment for him to move up a level.

“He has been a very consistent performer in the Championship for a long period and this is his chance to show he can be as good a player in the Premier League.”

The former England Under-20 captain has made an impressive 311 caps at senior level and made his league debut with Crewe in the Championship at the tender age of just 16.

It has been fruitful season for the Shrewsbury-born defender as he scored six times in 45 starts and finished the campaign as Preston captain.