LEE Cartwright has ended his 13-year association with Preston North End by signing for second-division Stockport County.

The Rawtenstall-born midfielder has joined The Hatters on a two-year deal which comes complete with a free transfer out of Deepdale.

Cartwright had indicated to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph as early as last summer that he felt his time at Deepdale may be up soon.

Despite spending all of his professional career at the club, clocking up 472 league appearances, Cartwright has struggled for a regular first team place since Craig Brown arrived at the club nearly two years ago.

Carts' current contract was due to run out at the end of this season, and he told the Telegraph last summer he was being forced to think about what he would be doing in the future because of the the family he has to support.

There will be a familar face for him when he arrives at Stockport - striker Simon Lynch is on loan from Preston there at the moment.