Championship Those coming in and going out

a decent enough striker but signing him shows a lack of ambition by the club.

 

Cunningham 2 year deal

 

Youth player Lincoln McFayden signs for Swansea

 

Four Scholars Awarded Professional Contracts

please log in to view this image

Preston North End have awarded professional contracts to four of its second-year scholars.

Lewis Coulton, Jacob Holland-Wilkinson, Oliver Lombard and Joe Rodwell-Grant have all agreed terms on their first contracts.

The quartet of 18-year-olds have all agreed one-year contracts, with an option of a second year, beginning from the start of July, when the squad return from their summer break.

Holland-Wilkinson was included on the bench a number of times in the first half of the season and last week collected the scholar of the year, with Coulton and, most recently, Rodwell-Grant also being included in the matchday 20.

Goalkeeper Lombard has been rewarded for his efforts with the youth team and all four were delighted to be given the opportunity to step up to the next level of their careers.

Interviews with all four of the new pros and reaction will follow later this week – Preston North End would like to congratulate all of the players and look forward to seeing them develop with the club.

 

Bodin
Moult
Nugent
Ginnelly
Burke
All released

 

A shame about Bodin: a skilful player wracked with injuries.

 

Liam Lindsay permanent from Stoke

 

Preston North End are pleased to confirm Liam Lindsay has returned to the club on a permanent basis from Stoke City.

The central defender has signed for an undisclosed fee, putting pen to paper on a two-year deal to keep him at Deepdale until 2023.

25-year-old Liam spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan with the Lilywhites after joining on deadline day in February, and he went on to feature 13 times in the Championship, scoring twice while helping the team keep four clean sheets in that period.


His permanent move to PNE puts an end to Liam’s stay with Stoke City, who he joined back in 2019 from Barnsley for an initial fee of £2m.

Speaking to PNE.Com after completing his move, Liam said: "I’m delighted and just happy it’s been done so quickly as well. I always wanted to come back here and I’m just looking forward to the season ahead.

"I got a good feeling as soon as I came really - the players, staff, just everyone about really. I've enjoyed my time so much over the last six months and I'm delighted to come back.

“[When I signed] on deadline day, it was a bit hectic, so it’s better to get it done on the first day rather than the last now. It gives me a bit of clarity and a bit of stability as well so I’m just happy to get it done.”

Gametime had been limited at his last club Stoke City and first team football was a major draw for the defender to come to Deepdale last season.

During his time with the club, he built relationships with both the players and management staff, including head coach Frankie McAvoy, who has full faith Liam will be a success at PNE.

Frankie added: “We’re absolutely delighted. Thanks to Mr Hemmings and Peter Ridsdale for getting the deal done.

“He did great for us when he came on loan, in particular the latter parts when I was head coach. He did really well for us in that back three system so we’re delighted to add him to the squad.

“When he was at Barnsley he did really well and then Stoke paid quite a bit of money for him and unfortunately it didn’t work out.

"That can happen sometimes for players, but what he’s got now is an opportunity and a chance to express himself and show the Preston North End faithful the Liam Lindsay that we know he’s capable of being, so we’re delighted with that.”

 

Stockley to Charlton permanent

 

Charlton Athletic are delighted to confirm the permanent signing of Jayden Stockley from Preston North End for an undisclosed fee.

The striker scored eight goals, with two assists, in 22 appearances during a successful loan spell with the Addicks at the end of the 2020/21 season and has penned a three-year deal with the club amid plenty of interest from other teams in Sky Bet League One.

Stockley, who publicly stated his intent to stay at The Valley on numerous occasions, was excited to sign for the club. He said: “I’m very pleased that my journey at Charlton isn’t over. I have loved my time here and now I’ll get the chance to play in front of the fans and experience The Valley properly.

“We just missed out on a play-off place on goal difference last season, so there is some unfinished business – I just can’t wait to get started.”

The 27-year-old becomes the club’s first signing of the summer transfer window and is also the first signing since the appointment of Nigel Adkins as Charlton Manager.

Adkins said: ”I’m delighted we’ve signed Jayden. He was a crucial part of our strong finish to last season. The Charlton fans will already be very aware of what he brings - he works hard when we are in and out of possession, he brings others into play well, he has a lot of quality on the ball and he brings us goals. He’s also a fantastic character, someone who is great to have around the dressing room, so I am looking forward to continue working with him.”

Charlton Owner Thomas Sandgaard said: “Jayden came in January and made a big difference for us, he was popular with the fans, players and staff. Given his form and track record, there was understandably interest in signing him from our promotion rivals. He wanted to play for Charlton Athletic though and we wanted him here, so I am pleased we’ve been able to sign him permanently. I am sure the fans will give him a warm welcome when he finally gets to play in front of our supporters at The Valley.”

 

Following the earlier announcement that ten scholars have signed on with PNE, the club are delighted to announce that Noah Mawene and Josh Seary have committed to signing professional deals in the future.

The two youngsters are just 16 years of age and will first and foremost spend time with the youth team as scholars, but they have both agreed professional deals which will be triggered once they turn 17.

Midfielder Noah has close connections with the Lilywhites given that his father Youl spent six years at Deepdale and is well remembered by the North End faithful.
Noah himself has hugely impressed playing with the U18s this season, scoring double figures, while also captaining the team on occasion.

Reacting to his deal, Noah said: “It’s a huge honour to be around this club, obviously my dad was around this club so it means a lot.

“I’m looking forward to my future at this club. It’s just a privilege what I’ve been offered. I’ve worked hard for it, so I’m just going to continue the work and see where my football takes me.”

Meanwhile, his team-mate Josh, who has spent time in the Republic of Ireland youth setup, has also been catching the eye in the youth team in the past season, despite also playing in a higher age group.

The right back told iFollow PNE: “I’m absolutely made up. It’s a lot of hard work and dedication, but I’m just made up that it’s finally done.

“You want to be among the best players at the club so to be training with the first team is something to look forward to in the future.”

Everybody at the club would like to wish both Noah and Josh the best of success in their future with Preston North End.

 

Van den Berg season long loan

 

Preston North End are pleased to confirm Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg will return to the club on a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old defender, who has played four times for the Reds’ senior team, joined the Lilywhites on loan in February for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign and went on to feature 16 times in the Championship.

Sepp becomes PNE's second signing of the summer, following the arrival of Liam Lindsay from Stoke City, and he will report to pre-season training at the beginning of July with the rest of the squad ahead of his first full season with the Lilywhites.



Speaking after completing the deal, Sepp said: "I’m very pleased. I said it last season at the end that I would love to come back and I was really happy it worked out. I’m just looking forward to playing a whole season now and playing from the start.

“Hopefully I’ll see the fans very soon and of course see the players and the staff again. I really enjoyed last season so I’m just really excited for the upcoming season."

Meanwhile, head coach Frankie McAvoy said: “We’re absolutely delighted. We’re very grateful to Liverpool for allowing him to come back here and obviously to Sepp for choosing to come back to us.

“He loved his time here last season. He’s a young boy learning his trade and for me he’s fitted in well with a group that made him feel welcome and a part of it.

“He came as a right centre back. He didn’t get many games playing in that position, but he fitted in really well as a right back and then as a right wing back. I thought he was fantastic. I think he’s done really well and we’ll see how he does at right centre back.

“What he’s got to try and do is go again for the second time and hopefully produce what I and the coaching staff believe that he’s capable of.”

 

According to LancsLive, he will play in his natural position i.e. centre back.

 

Izzy Brown in da house

 

Preston North End are pleased to announce Izzy Brown will join the club on 1st July on a one-year deal, with the option of an extra year, following the expiration of his contract at Chelsea.

The 24-year-old, who has played in all attacking areas both wide and centrally throughout his career, has been with the Blues since 2013, but has spent most of that time out on loan.

He arrives with 80 games worth of experience in the Championship and experience of promotion into the Premier League with Huddersfield Town in 2017.


Speakiing to iFollow after signing, Izzy said: “I’m over the moon to finally get this done. It’s been in the works for a couple of weeks now, but I’m absolutely delighted to be here.

“Now I’m getting to that age where I want to develop myself as a player and hopefully be a legend at a club, and I really feel like Preston’s a place where I could do that.”

Izzy has become the club’s third signing of the summer window, following Liam Lindsay and Sepp van den Berg through the door.

Head coach Frankie McAvoy added: “He’s got good pedigree. He’s got great experience in terms of playing in the Championship and an ex-Chelsea player from a young age.

“He’s had quite a few loans over his time, some he’s done well, others maybe latterly not done as well as he hoped, so he just needs to find that self-belief again and confidence. But we’re certainly getting a player with undoubted talent, very offensive and we’re looking forward to working with him.

“He can play across the front, but probably his preferred position is a ten behind a striker or two, depending on how we play. He can also play in pockets off right and left, so he adds that bit of versatility to our front players and I think if we can get him up and running, believing in himself, being confident in his own ability then I’m sure he’ll endear himself to the Preston faithful.”

 

Preston North End are delighted to confirm Daniel Iversen has returned to the club on a season-long loan from Leicester City.

The Danish goalkeeper spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign at Deepdale, making 23 appearances for the Lilywhites and keeping nine clean sheets.

Daniel will take the No.12 shirt for the upcoming season and will go straight into contention for Saturday’s Championship opener against Hull City.

out.stream powered by ADITION

After completing his move, Daniel said: “I’m really excited to get it done now, it’s been a wait for a couple of weeks now, but I’m really excited to be back.

“I cannot wait to see the fans again and say thank you for all the support they gave us last season and hopefully they will do that this season also.

“I want to do the best for the club that I can do and try to do the best I can for every game and every training [session] and we will see after the season where we’re landing.”

Daniel was first brought into the fold after Declan Rudd's injury last season, but with Dec back fit, and the likes of Connor Ripley and Mathew Hudson also available, there is plenty of competition for the shirt.

Head coach Frankie McAvoy said: “We knew there would be interest in him from other teams so for the club to do the deal, I cannot thank them enough, and it’s great that Daniel will get the opportunity to be here on Saturday.

“We’re just delighted to get him back in time for the first game, and it puts our goalkeeping department in a very competitive situation.

“Dec, before he got injured, was excellent and he's done fantastically well in pre-season, so to have four good goalkeepers is excellent and I’ve got a big, big choice on Saturday and it’s one that I’m looking forward to. The most important thing is for them to learn and support each other, no matter who it is we pick.”

 

Preston North End have completed the signing of Jamie Thomas after a trial spell with the Lilywhites.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has agreed a one-year contract at PNE, with the club having an option to extend by a further year.

The former Welsh U19 international came through Bolton Wanderers’ Academy, before two years at Premier League side Burnley.


During pre-season he impressed when playing against North End for Bamber Bridge, before being invited in on trial, scoring against Accrington Stanley and starting the game at Wigan Athletic last Friday night.

Having taken the No.40 shirt at Deepdale, Jamie said he was thankful to have a second chance in the game and wanted to take the opportunity he has been given.

He said: “I’m very thankful to this club for seeing something in me, having the faith to sign me. I’m just looking forward to getting the ball rolling, getting cracking, getting my head down and working hard.

“I wasn’t expecting it, but I feel like I’ve coped with it well. The lads have been brilliant with me, they’ve all been very welcoming.

“It’s probably been the best two weeks of my footballing career so far.”

Head coach Frankie McAvoy was also pleased to have added another option to his squad and he's excited at what he believes the attacker can bring to the group.

“When he has been in here, he has performed, he does not look out of place one bit," said Frankie.

"I am delighted with him; I am delighted the club have given him an opportunity and a chance and hopefully he can kick on and do well.

“We put him in for 45 minutes against Accrington and I thought he performed well, scored the goal and hits the box well. Against Wigan, again, I thought he did well.

“I thought he started a wee bit safe, but he sees a forward pass, he gets round about the goals, he has got a strike on him that is excellent and he is a threat.”

 

Another midfielder?

 

Lewis Leigh Pens Professional Deal
Just now

please log in to view this image

@pnefc

Preston North End are pleased to announce Lewis Leigh has signed a professional deal with the club.

The 17-year-old has put pen to paper on a contract which will keep him at Deepdale until 2024, where he has been since joining at U14 level.

Heading into the second year of his scholarship with the Academy, Lewis has spent the last few months with the first team, featuring heavily in pre-season.

out.stream powered by ADITION

Speaking after signing his deal, Lewis told iFollow PNE: "I’m over the moon, obviously it’s a proud moment for me and my family. I’ve worked hard since I started playing football when I was very young so I’m buzzing with it.

“It’s been a long time coming, obviously it’s my hometown club as well so I’m over the moon with it.

“I’m buzzing, I’m thankful for it as well. It’s a huge show of faith from Frankie so I’m happy."

The midfielder was brought in on the first day of the squad's return to Euxton in July and he impressed in training with the first team and in matches too, playing against the likes of St Johnstone and Bolton Wanderers.

Head coach Frankie McAvoy has often spoken about how pleased he has been with the teenager's performances, and he is happy to see Lewis join the club on a professional basis.

He said: “I’m delighted he’s committed his future to the club. He’s a Preston boy and I’ve been delighted with his progress so far.

“The most important thing is we need to make sure that young players have an opportunity and a chance to develop, that they become part of our squad, then we try and tie them up as early as we can.

“Lewis is one of them; he’s done really well. We’ve involved him throughout pre-season and I’m just delighted that he’s managed to stay here and he’s got a big future, and hopefully that big future is with Preston North End.”