NORTH End have beaten off Premiership competition to grab the signature of Manchester City starlet Dickson Etuhu.

And a delve into the European transfer market has also paid dividends for David Moyes -- finally getting hold of Thordur Gudjonsson, albeit on a loan deal.

After days of rumours and several hitches, 19-year-old Etuhu has finally put pen to paper to join Preston North End.

The highly-rated midfielder who has not played since Christmas after falling out with Maine Road chief Kevin Keegan comes from Manchester City on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

He will cost an initial fee of £300,000 with another £300,000 depending on appearances.

North End Chief Executive Tony Scholes said : "We are delighted to have signed Dickson.

"He is a young player, only 19-years-old and fits in with the young squad David has put together.

" We are all looking forward to Dickson making a major contribution.

"A lot of other clubs have been interested, in both the Premier League and Division One and we are very pleased that he has chosen to sign for North End."

And after nearly a month of speculation and haggling, North End have also managed to capture Icelandic star Thordur Gudjonsson.

He comes on a loan deal until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent deal.

Manager Moyes had hoped to trial the ex-Derby star for a month, but the Spainish transfer window would have meant Gudjonsson would not have been able to play for Las Palmas until next season.

The midfielder is the son of the Stoke City boss and comes from the same town as former striker Bjarki Gunnlaugsson, who had to hang his boots at the start of this season.

He is 28-years-old and was due to join up with the squad.

Neither player will be eligable for Saturday's FA Cup clash with Sheffield United due to the seven day signing rule.

While the league will always be Moyes' priority, a run in the cup will do no harm at all.

Sheffield United have drawn once and lost once to North End this season.

Sean Gregan and Richard Cresswell are both hopefuls on Saturday -- and after last week's midfield performance, the skipper's return can't come soon enough!