After a troublesome first four months following his arrival at Deepdale, Westley is using the close season to mould a squad he feels will see Preston challenging for promotion from League One - with 14 players released, a further seven placed on the transfer list and eight new faces arriving.
Left-back Laird was the latest of those on Sunday having rejected a new deal with Stevenage and turned down interest from elsewhere, including the Championship, to be reunited with Westley at North End, who he played under at Boro.
Ridsdale said: "Scott has been courted by a lot of clubs this summer after a superb season at Stevenage and I think it shows our ambition that he has chosen to come to Deepdale.
"It also shows that players who are committed to working hard and giving their all for our manager want to play for him and know that he can bring success to wherever he is and we look forward to seeing Scott as part of a successful Graham Westley Preston North End team."
