Carter has moved in search of more first-team action

The 23-year-old ex-Birmingham player has cost North End an initial �750,000 and become manager Paul Simpson's fourth summer signing.

He moved to the Hawthorns for �1.5m in the summer of 2005, but West Brom's raft of midfield signings this summer has pushed him down the pecking order.

The Baggies have also inserted a 20% sell-on clause in the deal.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray told the club's official website: "Darren didn't play as much football as he would have liked last season.

606: DEBATE Signing Darren Carter for �1.25m is a great bit of business SNE

"I had a chat with him and he told me he wanted to figure more regularly this season.

"I couldn't promise him that so when Preston came calling, I think it was a move which suited all parties."

Carter follows Crewe's Billy Jones, Carlisle striker Karl Hawley and former Leeds skipper Kevin Nicholls in making a summer move to Deepdale.