Devine a 'benchmark signing', Preston fans told

Record signing Alfie Devine is a benchmark of what Preston North End's ambitions are, according to the club's former goalkeeper Alan Kelly. The midfielder has signed a five-year contract after moving from Tottenham to Deepdale having been on loan last season, scoring eight goals in 45 Championship appearances. The fee is undisclosed but the club have said it is "almost three times" what they paid for Portsmouth forward Callum Lang in February, which was reported to be around £2m. "He's someone all Preston fans were looking to see back and for the club to pay a reported £6m, everyone will be delighted with that," said Kelly, who now works as a summariser for BBC Radio Lancashire. "There were a lot of teams after him because of his quality, so to go out and get him, it sets a benchmark and what they're prepared to spend." Preston were third in the Championship table in mid-December before going on to finish 14th and Kelly believes they and Devine will be targeting a big improvement next season. "Alfie Devine is someone the team can be built around and I think he warrants that sort of money and could be worth even more moving forward so it's a win all round for the player, club and the fans," he said "He'll have the drive of having been at a Premier League club like Spurs and will want to take Preston there - he'll have aspirations and dreams and signing for the club means he's been told they can come to fruition." You can listen to more Preston North End interviews and features on BBC Sounds. [BBC]