Preston North End have been immensely busy on the transfer front, with early business of incomings and outgoings symbolising a shift in momentum at Deepdale. Paul Heckingbottom’s first summer window has showcased a more personal shape of squad.
The former Sheffield United head boss has been assisted so far with three free deals for experienced Championship performers. With Ryan Lowe’s mutual termination coming just one game into last season’s second tier campaign, Heckingbottom has had to work with fragments of another manager’s squad. Now, with a personalised focus in mind, the 47-year-old can rebuild his new North End following a large player turnaround.
Free Departures Galore
Before the incomings are addressed and analysed, it is important to note the several key departures from Preston already this summer. The Lancashire side is often criticised by some fans for holding on to valuable assets for so long that they are eventually lost for free. Emil Riis is one of the players to have left without demanding a profit, which has been gutting considered a £7.5 million bid from Middlesbrough was dismissed in 2022 prior to an unforeseeable injury for the Dane shortly after.
The following list of players also left for free alongside the former Derby County striker this summer: Ryan Ledson, Freddie Woodman, Kian Best, Patrick Bauer and Kian Taylor.
Ledson, who had been with the Lilywhites for seven years, has since joined Huddersfield Town in League One. The Terriers picked up the occasional captain of North End for nothing, despite mixed opinions on the 26-year-old’s contract expiration. Woodman, who had largely remained Preston’s number one since his arrival in 2022, is now a potential candidate for Manchester United as a third-choice goalkeeping option. Best, Bauer and Taylor are all leaving after very minimal game time in the 2024/25 season, with the former having an unsuccessful loan spell with Bohemians FC in its second half.
Layton Stewart is the only player to have warranted a transfer fee for the Lancashire side thus far, with a loan-to-buy option being triggered due to FC Thun’s impressive promotion back to the Swiss top-flight. For around £310,000, the former Liverpool academy striker will leave Preston as a Challenge League champion.
New Faces At The Club
Luckily for the Lilywhites, the original ‘Invincibles’ have reinvested the now-looser wage budget into three permanent signings. Pol Valentín is the latest to join the Lancashire side, with the Spaniard arriving following his contract expiration with Sheffield Wednesday. The 28-year-old featured 77 times for the Owls and will offer a new defensive option for Heckingbottom.
Jordan Thompson was the first to be unveiled in Lilywhite colours. The Stoke City midfielder departed the Potters ahead of the move up north and will slot into the central midfield ranks of Ali McCann, Stefan Thordarson and current captain, Ben Whiteman. Following the conclusion of the Premier League season, Leicester City have also allowed Daniel Iversen to move on a free transfer to Preston; the Danish shot-stopper spent one-and-a-half impressive seasons on loan with PNE and will reunite with the club this summer. Robbie Brady has extended his stay at Deepdale as a very experienced leader on and off the pitch.
Preston’s full retained list can be found here. A key focus on youth has been important to Heckingbottom too, with some promising scholars being released in favour of game time and development for their careers elsewhere. Nevertheless, a future beyond this season has been notably handed to prospects like Theo Mawene, Kacper Pasiek – who is currently negotiating a new deal – and Max Wilson. Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile also continues to be an exciting young talent in the Lancashire side’s ranks, with Jeppe Okkels looking to revive his career following an underwhelming loan spell at Aberdeen.
Writer’s View
The foundations Preston have laid so far aren’t particularly exciting, but they are certainly enough to build the anticipation of a solid squad expecting plenty more additions. Heckingbottom finally has the chance to prove himself once again as a more than competent Championship manager, with most of the investment said to be coming from his own vision this summer.
The loan extension of Brady and the faith in a select few prospects will marry together the new signings in a potentially surprising season for North End. With a narrow escape from a League One return last campaign, a mid-table finish is starting to look more feasible for Preston once again following these initial deals.
