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The last in coming deal

Preston North End are delighted to confirm Bambo Diaby has signed a contract with the club until the end of the season.

The 24-year-old, formerly of Barnsley, has impressed on trial with PNE and he now joins the club until the summer with the opportunity of earning a longer contract.

Bambo will take the No.41 shirt and goes straight in to contention to feature in Tuesday night’s Championship game against Millwall.



Speaking after signing, Bambo said: “I’m very excited to sign with Preston because it’s been a long time.

“It’s been the thing I’ve been waiting for. Every day I’ve been training very hard to get to this day.

“I want to say thank you to all the Preston fans and the Preston staff as well because the only thing I’ve felt in this time is someone who believes in me.

“Because after a long time it’s difficult, but Preston have believed in me since the first day.

“I want to give back with big work and big passion for the club.”

The Senegal-born defender moved to Spain in his early years, beginning his career in the Spanish third tier, before then making the move to Italy to play for Sampdoria.

After then impressing at Belgian side Lokeren, the 6ft 2in centre back joined Barnsley, who he made 22 appearances for in the 2019/20 season.

Manager Ryan Lowe added: “He’s got a fantastic attitude and his application has been spot on. He’s trained on a daily basis for us and he’s looked sharp.

“He’s different to what we’ve got. He can play in a few different positions around the back and probably right wing back, so we’ve offered him a short-term deal until the end of the season to go and showcase what he’s got to potentially earn a longer contract.

“He’s very humble. He’s had a kick in the teeth, he’s been out for two years and he’s very eager now to put that behind him and get on a streak.

“First and foremost [he has to] get in the squad and then get in the team and showcase what he’s about.”

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Rudd forced to retire due to injury

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Preston North End can regrettably confirm that Declan Rudd has had to retire from football due to a knee injury.

The 31-year-old, who has made 196 appearances over three separate stints with PNE, has undergone several operations on his knee during the last 18 months in an attempt to enable him to return to playing regular football.

Despite the surgeries and rehabilitation, it became clear that Dec would be unable to continue his career and he was forced to make the difficult decision to retire.



PNE supporters will get the opportunity to thank the goalkeeper for his service to the club on Tuesday evening as he and his family will be in attendance for the home game against Blackpool where he will be presented on to the pitch.

Dec said: “I’ve known for a while now so I’ve had a bit of time to let it sink in, but I wouldn’t say I’ve quite come to terms with it.

“It’s a big thing that was always a possibility but one I hoped wouldn’t happen. Everybody wants to finish on their terms and I thought that I still had my best playing days to come, but unfortunately it’s stopped too early.

“The worst thing is I haven’t had the chance to say bye to the players, the staff or the fans yet, so it’ll be nice to get back to Deepdale.

“The last time I played at Deepdale was for the Liverpool game in a full house, so it’s not a bad game to have as your last appearance, but it’ll be nice to go back there to thank everyone because they’ve all been brilliant with me, the fans especially.

“Everyone always stuck by me, so that’s why I wanted to come back five or six years ago, because it just felt like a club I belonged at.”

The Norfolk-born shot-stopper began his career as a young boy with Norwich City and came through the ranks at Carrow Road, eventually turning professional with the Canaries and he would go on to feature in the Premier League on 14 occasions.

His first spell at Deepdale came during the 2013/14 campaign on loan from Norwich and he returned the following term on a season-long loan.

After then returning south to play for his parent club, as well as spending a year with Charlton Athletic, Dec joined North End permanently in 2017, going on to establish himself as the No.1 at Deepdale.

Dec has also made a significant impact off the pitch over the years too by playing a key part in the community, being named as the club’s Community Player of the Year for the past two years.

Manager Ryan Lowe added: “I’m obviously gutted for him. First and foremost, goalkeepers can often go for forever and a day, so for Dec to have to retire at the age of 31 is obviously disappointing for him and disappointing for us.

“Secondly, I’m disappointed myself that I didn’t have the opportunity to work with him because I believe and I know that he was a fantastic lad to work with and a fantastic goalkeeper, representing Norwich and obviously Preston North End over the years.

“But the most important thing is his health. I said to him the most important thing is that you can still run around with your kids at home, that’s the main thing.

“He’ll be sadly missed in the football world and at Preston North End because he’s a good bloke as well as a quality goalkeeper.”

Everybody at Preston North End would like to thank Dec for his contribution to the club over the years and we wish him all the very best for the future.

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Aaron Bennett and Mikey O’Neil given pro contracts

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Harry Nevin two year pro deal

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Murphy and Izzy Brown departure

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Paul Huntington Set To Leave PNE
A man with so much ability he could play with flames coming fro his head the Cumbrian Cannavaro



Manager Ryan Lowe has confirmed that Paul Huntington will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of June.

Huntington first joined Preston North End in 2012 and has since gone on to make 305 appearances for the club, becoming the 26th player to play 300 times or more for the Lilywhites.

Despite his future at the club looking uncertain in the summer of 2014, the central defender chose to stay and fight for his place, and he ended up playing a vital role in North End’s promotion back to the Championship in the 2014/15 campaign.



He will always be remembered for getting on the scoresheet in the Wembley Play-Off final, and a few days later he was named as the club’s Player of the Year for the promotion-winning season.

His importance to the side didn’t change once in the second tier, highlighted by his 44 appearances made in the 2017/18 campaign as PNE finished seventh in the table.

Continuing to play a key role on and off the pitch, it was in January 2021 that Hunts put his name into the PNE history books by making his 300th appearance for the club.

Paul said: “I’m proud to have played for this special club for so long, it’s been a big part of my life.

”I’ve improved a lot as a player during my time here and obviously I’ve enjoyed some success, getting promoted from League One and we’ve had some good times in the Championship too.

“I’m grateful for the opportunities each manager has given me and a special thanks to the Hemmings family who have played a big part in my time at the club.

“I’m looking forward to the last game on Saturday to be able to say thank you to the fans, my teammates and the staff because it’s been a home for me at this football club, and I wish it nothing but success for the future.

“PNE will always be a big part of my life and it will be the first club I look out for results wise. I’ll now be able to look on as a fan.”

Due to Paul's length of service to Preston North End, the club are in discussions with the 34-year-old over a potential testimonial match to be played in pre-season, with details to be announced in due course.

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Hudson to Fleetwood

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Scott Sinclair departs

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Coulton and Amaral contracts extended