Kevin O'Connor can't wait to get started at PNE after completing his move from Cork City on Monday.
The defender has joined Cork teammate Sean Maguire at Deepdale this summer and is now ready to make the step up to the Championship with North End.
On finally completing the switch, the 22-year-old said: "It's great, it's been a long time coming but I'm just happy to get in now and get my head down and work hard.
"We had our first day of training yesterday and so it's just a matter of kicking on from there.
"We met the lads and the manager in Cork but we only really did the warm up, we didn't do much so to get in and have our first full day was good to see the manager in training and to see how he works and his influences.
"We are just happy to be here now and excited to get started.
The pair have been in fine form for the League of Ireland leaders in recent months, and O'Connor feels that stands them in good stead going into the season.
"The two of us have played 26 games already so we are fully fit and we are coming over raring to go so that's obviously a major part of it. We stayed with Cork to get more games and that's what we did so we are coming over in good shape.
The fullback could make his first appearance in a North End shirt against Burnley at Deepdale this evening, and is looking to use the final two pre-season friendlies to settle in as much as possible ahead of the big kick-off on Saturday 5th August.
"The season starts in just over a week but we have two games before that so it's a matter of bedding in with the lads and seeing where we go from there.
"It's great that the first game of the season is at home, we will hopefully get a good crowd and we want to give them something to shout about. It's going to be a tough game against Sheffield Wednesday but it's one we are confident of getting three points."
O'Connor is excited for the season ahead, and feels confident that he can adjust to life in the Championship.
"Going to the different stadiums that you aren't used to, the players you are up against, I'm looking forward to everything and we are a confident bunch and we will just take it a game at a time." He continued.
"It's a huge step up, it's probably the hardest league to get out of in the world, there are 24 very good teams in the league but I am confident in my own ability and I just want to get my head down and give the manager a problem.
"We just have to work hard and try and give the manager a decision to make and we can only do taht on the training pitch and that's what we will try to do."