Michael Jolley has swooped to make his seventh summer signing with former Hull City and Preston North End midfielder, John Welsh (34) joining the club on a two year deal.

Welsh started his career at Liverpool, joining the club at the age of ten. He progressed through the ranks at Anfield becoming reserve team captain in the process, before he made his debut for the Reds under Gerard Houllier, coming on as a substitute in a Carling Cup fourth round tie against Ipswich Town in December 2002.

The former England U21 international made his Premier League debut against Arsenal in October 2003, but it was not until Rafa Benitez was appointed Liverpool manager that Welsh began to make the breakthrough at Anfield.

Premier League starts against Bolton and Crystal Palace followed, whilst the former England U20s captain also featured in Liverpool’s famous run to the Champions League Final in 2005, coming on as a substitute against Bayer Leverkusen.

After ten appearances for the club, Liverpool loaned Welsh out to Hull City for the 2005/06 season. Welsh impressed at the KC Stadium, with the Tigers making the move permanent in January 2006.

Welsh made 33 appearances in his first season for Hull, and scored his first ever senior goals with a brace against Coventry City in September 2005. He scored his third goal for the Club against North End at Deepdale in October 2006.

He enjoyed brief loan spells at Chester City, Carlisle United and Bury, before he joined Tranmere Rovers in July 2009 following his release from Hull. Welsh made 52 appearances in his first season at Prenton Park, and scored on his home league debut for the club in a 4-2 victory over Gillingham.

The Tranmere captain made 48 appearances for the Club the following season, before making a further 49 appearances in his final year at Prenton Park. With the offer of a new contract on the table at Tranmere, Welsh decided it was time for pastures new, departing the Wirral to join the Preston in July 2012. And the midfielder made an instant impact in his debut season, making 46 appearances in 2012/13.

The following campaign, Welsh captained North End to a fifth place finish in Sky Bet League One.

The tough tackling midfielder was rewarded for his consistency with a new two year contract in the summer of 2015.

Speaking to iFollow, Welsh said: "It's been a couple of weeks in the making. After speaking to the manager, he’s given me nothing but excitement about what was going on at the club. I’m privileged to be here and to sign for such a good club," he added.

Watch the full interview on iFollow now.

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