In what will likely be described as a ‘summer overhaul’, Preston North End have announced the acquisition of a second signing to bolster their midfield options.
The Lilywhites have been known to exploit the Danish market, and have seen a welcomed reward for their transfer efforts in this particular region. Emil Riis, who has asserted himself as a marksman in the Championship, has scored 34 times since joining Preston in October 2020. Alongside the 26-year-old, Mads Frokjaer-Jensen was poached from Odense last summer and has since contributed three goals and eight assists in the second tier.
This summer has seen PNE delve deeper into the Superligaen. A deal with Silkeborg has brought Iceland international, Stef谩n Teitur Th贸rdarson, to Deepdale on a three-year stay. The 25-year-old has featured 125 times for the Danish outfit and has netted 16 goals, with a recent surge of form clearly impressing Ryan Lowe’s Championship side.
Welcome to PNE, Stef谩n Teitur Th贸rdarson. 馃嚠馃嚫
The Iceland international joins us on a three-year deal from Silkeborg IF for an undisclosed fee. 鉁嶏笍#pnefc
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) July 9, 2024
Th贸rdarson has also appeared 21 times for his national side, since making his debut in January 2020. This includes a short cameo against England in a recent 1-0 friendly victory. In the 26 minutes that the midfielder featured, Th贸rdarson displayed an impressive throwing range, and an obvious knack for holding the ball for his team to progress up the pitch.
North End started the window off quietly, but have swiftly announced two signings in quick succession. Sam Greenwood joined Lowe’s men last week, on loan from Leeds United. It is said that an option-to-buy has also been inserted, meaning a decision will be made at the end of the season. Both players will be looking to impress over the course of the Lilywhites’ Spanish pre-season tour, which starts on the 12th July against Lincoln City.
Writer’s View
This is an astute piece of business from Preston, not only to replace the gutting departure of Alan Browne, but also as a continued exploitation of a market that works. Both new signings have shown glimpses of real quality at their previous clubs and Lowe will hope to drill in some more consistency.
Th贸rdarson is a great physical presence with a keen eye for goal and looks to feed his teammates in for great attacking opportunities.
Fans of the Lancashire side have been calling out for more threatening, offensive players and will surely be satisfied with these acquisitions. The summer rebuild could now turn to some wing-backs who fit the mould of the manager’s formation.
