Preston North End have agreed a deal to sign Oxford United’s Ryan Ledson.

The England youth international midfielder will sign a three-year deal ready to join up with the Lilywhites when they return for pre-season training at the end of June.

The club will pay an undisclosed fee for the 20-year-old former Everton player, who scooped the player of the year, young player of the year and goal of the season awards at the U’s end of season gala event.

Speaking about the latest addition to his squad, manager Alex Neil said: “He had a great upbringing when he was at Everton as a kid and he has come through the England ranks as well. He has played 100 league games and he is only 20 years of age and he has played at a good level.

“When we have been watching him and all the bits we have seen of him, he will certainly contribute to what we are trying to do.

“I think it is a great signing for us. I think he has a bright future ahead of him and I think he is the right type of character we want at the club as well. We are losing one of these type of characters in John Welsh and I think we are replacing him with a younger version who can hopefully go and kick on and have a great career.”

The club failed in a bid to bring Ryan to the club in January’s transfer window, but he was delighted to be able to conclude a deal and to return to his native north west.

He said: “I am really looking forward to joining the club. I know there was interest in January and there were a few bids made, but now it has finally got over the line and I can’t wait to get started.

“I always saw Oxford as a great opportunity to get games and prove I was capable of playing higher. My time there was brilliant, but I am really forward now to getting back up north and playing for Preston.

“In the last two years I have played in League Two and League One and now I am going to go and play in the Championship, which will be tough, but hopefully I will adapt to it and play a few games.”