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Preston North End are delighted to confirm the signing of Ben Woodburn on a one-year deal, with the club having the option of an extra year.

Following the expiration of his contract with Liverpool this summer, the 22-year-old has been on trial with PNE during the opening week of pre-season.

The midfielder is a player Ryan Lowe has tried to sign at previous clubs, and with Ben having impressed in training and in the opening friendly against Bamber Bridge – in which he got on the scoresheet – the two will now work together during the upcoming season.



Ben said: “I’m very excited for the deal to be done. Obviously I’ve been on trial for a week now and things have gone pretty well, so I’m buzzing to get started as a Preston player.

“Obviously when I got called and told I could come and train, I was buzzing. I wanted to show the gaffer what I could do, luckily I’ve earned a contract out of it.

“He’s tried to get me at his older clubs a few times and unfortunately things haven’t worked out there, but now we can work together and I’m a fan of how he plays football, so I’m really excited to get going.”

Woodburn’s senior career started much earlier than most, being handed his debut by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool at the age of just 17.

He scored three days later, becoming the Reds’ youngest goalscorer of all time, and he also became Wales’ second youngest scorer in 2017, hitting a superb strike from distance against Austria on his international debut.

While still on the books of Liverpool, Woodburn spent time away from Anfield on loan spells with Sheffield United, Oxford United, Blackpool and most recently Heart of Midlothian.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “Ben’s someone I’ve taken a real interest in over the past few years since he burst on to the scene at Liverpool at a young age.

“He’s a fantastic lad with a fantastic talent who’s had it up and down over the past few years, but we feel that at the tender age of 22, we can develop him into a top player for Preston North End.

“We’ve only had him with us for a week but you can see the quality he’s got. He’s a good footballer with a good footballing brain and he’s a good acquisition for us.

“He can play in numerous positions. He can play as a ten, just off the striker, or in any of the eight positions, whether it be left or right.

“He’s probably even capable of playing right wing back, so he’s someone who can play a few positions which is always nice, but ultimately he’s an attack-minded player who we feel can create and score goals.”

[themaclad]

Robbie Brady

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Robbie Brady has enjoyed an “excellent” few days training with Preston North End and he’s now looking forward to the new season after officially joining the club.

The Republic of Ireland international joined the North End squad for pre-season training last week, having been given the opportunity by manager Ryan Lowe.

After soon showing his quality, a deal was sorted and as a result Robbie will spend the upcoming campaign with PNE.

Speaking to iFollow, Robbie said: “I’m delighted to get something done and I’m just excited and really looking forward to getting going and hitting the ground running.

“It’s been excellent coming into a good group. The manager phoned me a couple of weeks ago and I’ve really enjoyed it since I’ve come in.

“The lads have all been more than welcoming. The people around the place are all friendly and it made me feel comfortable so I’m delighted to be here and I’m looking forward to a good season ahead.”

Having come in the early stages of pre-season, a lot of the time spent on the Euxton training pitch so far has involved lots of running.

There has, however, been plenty of football involved too and Robbie has been impressed with the quality of his new team-mates.

Robbie added: “Training’s been tough to come in to. There’s been a little bit of football thrown in amongst the running, so it’s been a tough week, but you can see that we’ve got a lot of quality here and if all things go well there should be a good season ahead.

“It was a big factor for me to come in, to get a full pre-season under my belt. It’s what I spoke to the manager about it before I did come in, and like I said it was a good time when I came in and we’ve had a good week’s work now and I’m ready to crack on with the rest of the pre-season.”

Considering Robbie’s left foot as one of the best outside of the Premier League, manager Ryan Lowe is a big admirer of the experienced international.

Most likely to be used at left wing back, the 30-year-old is looking forward to getting started.

Speaking about the manager, he said: “He’s been spot on with me. He just spoke to me and assured me on different things, assured me that I would enjoy it first and foremost, and he’s not lied since I’ve come in.

“I’ve got on with everyone and like I said I’m just ready to go now.”

[themaclad]

Dana Amaral admits he’s excited to see what the future holds for him after signing his first professional contract with the club.

After impressing in the second year of his scholarship, the 18-year-old has penned a one-year deal at Deepdale, with the club having the option of an extra year.

He played in the second half of Tuesday’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Tranmere Rovers and is also getting the chance to join the senior squad in Spain during the upcoming training camp.

Talking to iFollow PNE after signing his deal, Dana said: “I’m feeling good. It’s a change of environment, but I’m excited for what the future holds now.

“When you sign for Preston, the aim and what you’re always getting told is you want to sign a professional contract.

"You want to be in and around the first team to get that exposure to first team football so it was always the aim.

“Twelve months ago, I probably wasn’t looking at myself being in the position that I am now, but around the end of the season I really picked up my game and worked with the coaches at the U18s and I’m here now.”

Ryan Lowe has openly said he will give opportunities to younger players as long as they are good enough.

He has certainly stuck to his word too, with the manager having handed Mikey O’Neill his debut towards the back end of the 2021/22 campaign, and plenty of the young lads have been involved so far this pre-season.

Dana added: “It’s good to see that he’s open to giving young players a chance, like he’s done with Mikey.

“He gives everyone around the Academy something to work towards to get to the first team and realise that there is a chance, and that Ryan Lowe is open if you’re good enough to give you that debut and get you in and around the first team.

“He’s been good. He’s said he’s been impressed, so hopefully I keep impressing him.

“Hopefully I’ll get good feedback and I’m excited to keep working with him.”

The midfielder will be working with his manager for at least the next week, given that he has been told he will be part of the squad to travel to Alicante on Friday.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” admitted Dana. “But getting told now and everything’s been done so quickly I’m more excited.

“It’s literally around the corner, two days away, so I’m excited to get going.”

[talkSAFT]

West Brom's Callum Robinson being lined up for a return to Preston
By Joseph Masi Express & Star West Bromwich Albion Published: 5 hours ago

Preston North End are understood to be considering a move for Albion’s Callum Robinson that would see the forward return to the club on loan.
Robinson has previously enjoyed three stints at Deepdale – with the Republic of Ireland international twice joining them on loan while a Villa player.

The forward then signed for the club on a permanent basis in 2016 and went on to make over 100 appearances before joining Sheffield United.

[themaclad]

James Pradic is looking to learn as much as he can at Preston North End after signing a professional contract at the club.

The 17-year-old goalkeeper has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Deepdale, with the club having the option to extend for a further year.

Having only joined North End a year ago following his release from Charlton Athletic, he admitted he never could have imagined he'd be in this situation.


First Team News
James Pradic Signs Professional Deal
19 Hours ago
James told iFollow PNE: “I’m very, very pleased to get it signed. I’ve only been here for a year so to sign it in the first year is really good.

“[I want to] learn as much as I can, train up here as much as I can, but also I want to try and play as much as I can as well.

“I understand, I know my position in the club. Obviously play time for a third choice ‘keeper is not always guaranteed, but obviously I’ve got the Academy games and the reserve games so I’m really looking forward to this year.”

James has been with the first team during all of pre-season, training alongside Freddie Woodman and Dai Cornell, and working under goalkeeping coach Mike Pollitt.

Having only turned 17 earlier in the month, there is still plenty of time for James to learn and adapt his game, and he’s willing to take on advice from those around him.

He said: “I’m open to listen to everything. I want to learn, I want to learn from the best, so to be up here learning from the best is really good.

“Polly’s played in the Premier League so he’s got all the experience, and Freddie and Dai have both played in the Premier League and the Championship, so to be training with 'keepers like that everyday has definitely helped me a lot.”

Wales U17 international James played lots of minutes during the 2021/22 season for the U19s, playing a key role for the side which won the league and cup double, as well as the Central League title.

Not too many players are lucky enough to play so many minutes as a first-year scholar, but the goalkeeper soon showed his ability with the youth team.

James added: “As a ‘keeper during your first year you’re maybe not always going to play, but I had the opportunity to play so I think that definitely helped because as I was playing I’m getting better so I think through playing I was able to show my ability so that definitely helped.

“It probably was one of the best years in my football career because we did the treble so it was really good to be a part of that.”

[themaclad]

Troy Parrot

[themaclad]

PNE Land Troy Parrott On Loan
Preston North End are delighted to announce the arrival of Troy Parrott on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Highly-rated forward Parrott signed a new long-term contract with Spurs until 2025 before completing his loan move to PNE on Monday.

The 20-year-old has spent the last few weeks training with Antonio Conte’s side, including a recent tour of Asia, but he will now join up with his new North End teammates ahead of Saturday’s Championship opener against Wigan Athletic.



Troy said: “I’m buzzing to get going, to come in and see the place, meet the lads and get going really.

“I spoke to the manager first of all. I like the sound of how the team wants to play, they want to create a lot of chances which for me is a no brainer really, and obviously the Irish boys here also helps.

“I’ve been speaking to Browney [Alan Browne] and Robbie [Brady] and just asking what it’s like around the place and they’ve had nothing but good things to say, so I’m happy to be here."

The forward, who has earned 15 caps and scored four times for the Republic of Ireland, spent the 2021/22 season in League One with MK Dons, ending the campaign with ten goals to his name.

Troy also has experience of Championship football, having been with Millwall for the opening half of the 2020/21 campaign.

Manager Ryan Lowe added: “Troy’s one I’ve monitored for some time; he had a fantastic season last year for MK Dons.

“I watched him play for Ireland against Scotland in the summer when he scored a fantastic goal in the Nations League.

“His work ethic is fantastic, his hold-up play is very good for the style he is, but ultimately we want Troy to score goals for us.

“We’ve beaten some fantastic competition to get him. I think we sold it to him with the style of play, the identity and what we want to achieve, and probably a little bit of help from a few of the Irish boys as well.

“I’m really pleased to get him on board, he’s going to be a fantastic addition.”

[themaclad]

Preston North End are delighted to confirm Álvaro Fernández has joined the club on loan from Manchester United.

The 19-year-old, who operates as a left wing back, will spend the duration of the upcoming season at Deepdale after completing his move on Tuesday.

Spain U19 international Fernández had a superb campaign for United’s youth team during the 2021/22 season, ending it by being named as the club’s U23 Player of the Year.



Speaking after joining PNE, Álvaro said: “I’m very happy, and I want to start with this club as soon as possible.

“I wanted to go on loan and start to play at a high level.

“I’ve spoken to the manager about the football, it’s so good. I like his plans for the season so I want to start.”

Since joining Manchester United from Real Madrid in 2020, the defender’s stock has continued to rise, and he was named as a substitute for the Red Devils’ final four Premier League games last season.

He will now look to develop further as a player by gaining his first experiences of senior football at Preston North End.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “Álvaro's one we’ve monitored and one who was brought to our attention through our chief scout James Wallace who’s watched him numerous times.

“Once we’d watched him a little bit more we felt he could do a job for us down that side as a left wing back.

“He’ll challenge Robbie [Brady] to start. Robbie’s got the quality in his left foot of picking passes out, and Álvaro's got different types of qualities in that he gets at people and he can get past them with high energy.

“He’s a fantastic asset to us. He’s going to be a fantastic football player for Manchester United, but we need Álvaro to help us in our Championship campaign for us to help him to hopefully one day make his Premier League debut for Manchester United.”

[themaclad]

Coulton to Chester until 1/1/23 loan