Rangers and West Ham United were believed to be keen on signing Declan Rudd – but their hopes have now been ended.

The Preston stopper has had his dectractors since returning to the club permanently in 2017. Last season was certainly difficult for him due to some notable errors and major fan criticism, but he has generally been solid and consistent this term.

The problem for North End was that, just as Rudd was starting to show the form that made him a Preston favourite back in the 2013-14 season, he was coming towards the end of his contract.

Rudd’s deal was set to expire this summer, and Football Insider claimed that Rangers wanted him on a pre-contract agreement, whilst West Ham United were also interested.

That left Preston to sweat over Rudd’s future, but Preston have today confirmed that the goalkeeper has signed a new three-year contract with the club, committing his future until 2023.

The 29-year-old will now be at Deepdale rather than Ibrox or the London Stadium, and Alex Neil now has one less thing to worry about ahead of the summer transfer window.

Rudd noted that he now thinks he has become a ‘mature goalkeeper’, and credited Trevor Hemmings as a huge reason for staying at the club, having kept the club running as normal during the global pandemic, with Rudd seemingly valuing the running of the club.

“As a goalkeeper you peak a bit later; I am 29 now and at this age you are just starting to become a mature goalkeeper,” said Rudd. “I have played over 250 games now at a variety of levels, made the mistakes, had good games and I feel it is more natural to me now and I don’t have to think about it too much and that is important. This season has been a good one for me and in the next three years, hopefully I can keep going.”

“Also, to be in the situation like we are, to keep running as normal, is credit to the owner and what he has done. This was a huge reason for me for wanting to stay at the club, because it is run properly and that is important,” he added.