Manchester United youngster Josh Harrop has turned down a new contract at Old Trafford to sign for Preston North End.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who scored on his first team debut in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on the final day of the Premier League season, was offered a new deal but decided to drop down to the Championship in search of regular football.
"I'm 21 now and I'm confident in myself, I need to play first team football to get myself out there," he said. "That wasn't guaranteed at United, even though they offered me a new contract it was very limited in game time and so I couldn't take that risk at my age.
"I need to be out there, proving myself and doing what I know I'm capable of. It's a big thing for me to leave United after the number of years I have been there, but I am confident in my ability and know it's the right decision."
Best of luck to @JoshHarrop23, who'll join Preston when his #MUFC contract expires at the end of the month: https://t.co/lVYByxggKe pic.twitter.com/1sCRZPeNXk
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 23, 2017
Harrop's contract is due to expire this summer but he was offered new terms before the end of the season. However, he turned down the chance to stay in order to move to Preston, where he has signed a four-year contract.
He will officially become a Preston player when his United contract expires on July 3.
He added: "I'm delighted to be here, it's a new start for me to get things going in my career and I'm buzzing to get playing and to make an impact in the team.
"I've got four years now at Preston North End where I know I am going to be and I am going to put everything into that and dedicated myself to do the best for the team and the best for the fans.
"Hopefully I can achieve my aims and ambitions that I have set myself by coming here and that's to get promoted with Preston North End and help the club get as high as we can."
