PRESTON North End have confirmed the signing of St Asaph-born forward Ched Evans on loan from Fleetwood Town.

At the end of 2020, then-Fleetwood manager Joey Barton stated that Evans had been released by the club due to 'disciplinary reasons'.

But the saga took a twist as weeks progressed and it was in fact Barton who would be let go by the club in early January.

And whilst there may now be a future for Evans with the Cod Army, he has opted to move to EFL Championship side Preston on a temporary basis.

The former Wales international striker, who has 13 caps for his country, came through the ranks at Manchester City, before a highly-successful spell with Sheffield United.

Evans had then been looking to get his career back on track after being released from prison on a rape charge that was subsequently overturned by the Court of Appeal in 2016.

He initially moved to Chesterfield to start over before returning to Sheffield United in a deal believed to be worth £500,000, but Evans found opportunities limited at Bramall Lane which resulted in a switch to Fleetwood.

In two spells there, he has scored 37 goals in less than 100 games and he will now take the No.26 shirt at Preston.

Speaking to the club website upon signing, 32-year-old Evans, said: “I am really excited for the next six months, getting back to the Championship is brilliant. I’m really pleased for the opportunity and I’m looking to kick on.

“I’m really pleased to be here, the facilities and everything are brilliant and Preston North End is a club in a great position at the moment to kick on for the rest of the season.”