Barker was very much on Alex Neil's radar but it is unclear if Preston would have made a move for the youngster had Billy Bodin not got injured just prior to the start of the season.
Brandon Barker is primarily a wide player who has had spells at NAC Breda and last season at Hibernian where he made a significant impression. The youngster wants to make the step up and will be given every opportunity due to Bodin's absence for the first half of the season.
The loan deal suits both parties and will give Barker the chance to show what he is made of at Championship level which can be a very unforgiving league.