Lewis helped the USA to the quarter-finals at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan and joins manager Craig Brown's side for an undisclosed fee.

The left winger moved to Fulham for £1m from American Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes and was former Cottagers manager Paul Bracewell's last signing.

The 28-year-old has agreed a three-year deal with the Deepdale outfit.

"I am very pleased about the signing because Eddie is a player that Craig Brown recognised as someone he wanted to bring here when he first arrived at the club," chairman Derek Shaw told the club's official website.

"It has taken a while to complete, which may lead to some criticism from the fans, but we feel that we have got the deal that we wanted.