Tyias Browning shipped off on loan to Preston after signing new Everton deal

Everton announced Monday the club has reached an agreement with highly touted defender Tyias Browning over a new contract, penning the 22-year-old to a two-and-a-half year deal while also sending him on loan to Preston North End for the rest of the season.

He first joined Everton as a 10-year-old in 2004 and has made nine appearances with the senior team, including six last season at right full-back. But, he spent the last year recovering from a knee injury that required surgery and was sidelined from November of 2015 to November of 2016 as a result.

Fit and ready to contribute once more, Browning says he's looking forward to finding meaningful minutes with Preston in the Championship.

"I am happy to get playing again," Browning told Preston's official website. "It has been a long time, so I am hopeful I can come in and make an impact.

"It was quite a frustrating year for me with the injury, but that is in the past now and I am just happy to be back playing.

"I know a couple of lads and I have heard nothing but good things about the club and hopefully I can come in and do well.

"I just want to make an impact and help the team push forward. I'm a physical defender and I know the Championship is a physical league and hopefully it suits me well."