Preston North End have signed Tom Clarke on a two-year deal following his release from Huddersfield Town.

The 25-year-old defender becomes Preston manager Simon Grayson's first signing since he replaced Graham Westley in February.

Clarke had previously played under Grayson while he was Huddersfield boss.

"I needed to move on and take a new path in my career. I see this as a big challenge and a big club, and I can't wait to get started," Clarke told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It was difficult [to leave Huddersfield] because I'd been there since I was eight, but it was something that I needed to come. Simon Grayson gets players wanting to play for him. As soon as I knew he was interested, I wanted to get in and get signed."

Clarke made just one appearance for Huddersfield last season, against Preston in the first round of the Capital One Cup.