The Lilywhites have completed the permanent signing of Billy Bodin from League One side Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

The Swindon-born attacker, who has already scored 11 goals and had four assists in 24 games this season for the Gas Men, has completed a two-a-half-year deal with the club and will wear the No.39 shirt.

Billy, 25, came through the youth system at Swindon, but it was a move to the Memorial Ground in the summer of 2015 when he started to flourish, and has 37 goals in 81 starts for the south west side player on the right wing and in an attacking role.

He has not played in this season’s Emirates FA Cup and therefore will be eligible to make his debut against Wycombe Wanderers at the weekend, should manager Alex Neil want to involve his second signing of the January transfer window.

Speaking about the latest addition to his attacking options, Alex said: “Over the last couple of years he's been averaging double figures of goals which is obviously something we are looking to add to the squad.

“I think he's at a great age as well, he's still got his best years ahead of him and he's got the technical quality at the top end of the pitch to hopefully make a difference for us.

“We need more competition in that top area; he's left footed which is different to the rest of our forward players as well so he brings goals, creativity and he's been great for Bristol Rovers over the last two or three seasons, so I think this is hopefully the right step in his career for him.

“The good thing is he has got a lot of games under his belt so we are not signing a young kid who is inexperienced. He has got a lot of experience and hopefully that can help us in terms of adding to what we've got at the top end of the pitch.

“We have done great to get it done, a lot of credit has to go to people behind the scenes, because I think we are one of the only teams to get two bits of business done this early and that is a great sign for us.”

The player was delighted to complete the move so early into the new year and was looking forward to the next challenge in his career. He said:

“It is something I have always wanted to achieve, to play in the Championship, and for me it is a great level of football and hopefully I can come in and help the team as much as I can.

“The last two seasons I have got 13 goals in both seasons and about seven or eight assists, so be close to that already this season is a good achievement for me and hopefully I can continue to do that and help the team.

“The Championship is a great level of football. There are a lot of massive teams in the division and I believe that when I have watched the lads play, that they play a style of football that suits me and that I can come in, gel with the lads, and help them progress and who knows where we can be at the end of the season.”