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Andy Boyle back from Dundee

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New signing Josh Ginnelly is hoping to learn as much as possible from new manager Alex Neil and is looking forward to working under the PNE boss.

The winger became the manager's first signing of 2019, joining on a two-and-a-half year deal from Walsall, and speaking to iFollow PNE on his arrival, the 21-year-old spoke of his excitement about the move.

"I'm delighted to be here, I can tell the way the manager works, it's going to be good for me and I can only get better." He told the club's media channel. "I've seen what he's done with Callum and a few of the other boys as well so I can't wait to get going and work under him."

"It's been proved that almost every winger the gaffer has had, he's got them to the Premier League or made them twice as good as they were when they came in so I will be taking everything his says on board and trying to do everything he says.
Ginnelly is not eligible to feature against Rotherham United on New Year's Day, and as he is cup-tied for the visit of Doncaster Rovers, his first opportunity could come against Swansea City at Deepdale on Saturday 12th January.

The winger feels that is a positive, giving him time to get to settle in to the squad before taking to the pitch.: "I've got ten days now to keep training, working hard and hopefully when the 12th comes I'm ready to chip in however I can.

"I will work hard and whatever he says I will take on board and I've got ten days to get the understanding of what he wants and then if I get a game I will know what is expected of me.

"I was at the Villa game at the weekend and being in that atmosphere was crazy, the dans were roaring and I just can't wait to going to be honest."
Having come through the ranks at Aston Villa as a youngster, there are a few familiar faces for Josh already at Springfields, though he admits he already feels at home due to the welcoming nature of the dressing room.

"The boys have been fantastic with me and welcomed me in, Daniel Johnson brought me in and showed me around, introduced me to all the boys so I've fit right in and I just can't wait to get going now.

"There are a few familiar faces, the likes of Callum, DJ, Graham as well, but more Callum really because I used to stay in a hotel with him and things like that so it was nice to see a familiar face."

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Preston North End Sign Jayden Stockley From Exeter City

Preston North End have completed their second permanent signing of the transfer window with the transfer of striker Jayden Stockley.

The Lilywhites have paid an undisclosed fee to the Grecians for their top scorer, who has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal at Deepdale.

In 98 appearances for the St James Park club, 25-year-old Jayden scored 51 goals and was the top scorer in all four English leagues in 2018, ahead of Liverpool’s Mo Salah and also scored more headed goals in the calendar year than any player in the top European leagues.

North End beat off the competition of a number of other Championship clubs to sign the Poole-born forward, and speaking about the move, Jayden said: "I can't wait to meet all the boys and get training, once everything is sorted out from a business end you want to get the football going as soon as possible and to help the boys.

"I'm glad I can come here in a rich vein of form and hopefully I can continue that and offer my qualities to this already strong team. I feel confident and I'm very thankful for the move."
Manager Alex Neil was pleased to get in another player, adding to the signing of Josh Ginnelly on New Year’s Day and feels Stockley will add something different to his squad.

He added: “We have spoken at length about having a big target man since Jordan Hugill left. We have different types of strikers; you’ve got Sean [Maguire] who is small and nippy one, we’ve got Lukas [Nmecha] who is big, athletic, a good runner, Louis [Moult] who can take it in and link the game as a penalty box striker and I think Jayden gives us a different type.

“He is six foot three, he has scored the most headed goals in Europe this year and I think we’ve got someone who, when the going gets tough and teams hunt us and press us, we can turn the ball up to him, work around him and now when team’s sit in, we can put the ball into the box and expect the big fella to hopefully get on the end of some of them.
“He will certainly give us a different option. He is a good age as well, 25, and he is fully fit. He has been playing regularly for Exeter, which is a big thing, because sometimes when you do business in January, you can bring in guys who haven’t been playing, whereas that is not the case here and we hope he can come in and hit the ground running.

“He went up to Aberdeen and then came back down to Exeter, so he is very similar to a lot of our squad where he has done it the hard way to get to this level and hopefully we can now give him a platform where he can go and thrive.”

He will join up with his new team-mates immediately, but is cup tied for the weekend’s clash with Doncaster Rovers in the Emirates FA Cup and will be available for the first time when PNE take on Swansea City at Deepdale on Saturday 12th January.

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Preston North End Agree Transfer Of Barnsley’s Brad Potts




Brad Potts has become the Lilywhites second transfer of the day and third of the January transfer window after completing a permanent move from Barnsley.

The 24-year-old has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal at Deepdale and joins for an undisclosed fee from the Yorkshire club.

The Hexham-born attacking midfielder came through the ranks at Carlisle United, making over 100 appearances for the Cumbrians, before a move down the M55 to Blackpool, where he would play close to a further 100 games.

However, the then Tykes boss Paul Heckingbottom signed the new North End No.44 in the summer of 2017 and he has played almost 70 games, scoring 11 goals at Oakwell, including seven in 26 games this season so far.

Speaking after completing the paperwork and his medical Brad said: “I had a chat with the gaffer when I first got here and he told me what he wanted from me and I am looking forward to hopefully doing that for the team.
“A few lads I have played with, have played under the manager at previous clubs and I have spoken to them and they only have good things to say about him, so I am really looking forward to working with him.”
Manager Alex Neil was pleased to get a significant amount of business done so early in the window, saying: “It is especially pleasing with the injuries that we have had of late. We have got three players who we have been tracking and it is nice to get them done.

“Brad is a player we have been watching for a while. He has got goals in his game, both last year in the Championship and again this year. He has really good energy, is a good age and good size. He is a has a good presence and we are looking forward to working with him and hopefully improving.”

He has already played in the Emirates FA Cup this season for Barnsley and therefore will not be available for Alex Neil’s side until the home game with Swansea City on Saturday 12th January, like fellow new recruits Josh Ginnelly and Jayden Stockley.

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Maxwell to Charlton on loan

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Connor Ripley permanent signing from Smoggies
Connor Simpson on loan to Carlisle

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First Team News
Goalkeeper Connor Ripley Makes Permanent Move From Middlesbrough
The 25-year-old stopper has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at Deepdale, after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

Connor was out on loan at Accrington Stanley in the first half of the season and was recalled by Boro to allow for the transfer to take place.

The former England youth international custodian has been given the No.25 shirt and will be available for selection for the weekend’s game with Swansea City, subject to clearance from the footballing authorities.

Speaking after putting pen to paper, the Middlesbrough-born man said: “I’ve played here before and I have really enjoyed the stadium, it is beautiful. The fans are good and I’m looking forward to getting started now.

“It is a special position. Not many people like to be a goalkeeper and not many can be. Unfortunately, there is only one position and we all have to fight for it. Declan Rudd is a great goalkeeper and I need to fight for my position.
“I have not come here to do nothing. I am here to play and to play a pivotal part in the season. I will do my best on the training pitch and try and prove to the players and the manager I should be in the team.”
The capture of Connor is manager Alex Neil’s fourth of the January transfer window, joining Josh Ginnelly, Jayden Stockley and Brad Potts and the PNE boss believes he has signed players who can make an impact within the squad.

He added: “I have known of Connor for a while. He was up at Motherwell as a kid and he is highly thought of at Middlesbrough. He will add competition for places for us.

“He is a bubbly character and hopefully that will rub off on some of the other lads as well and he can settle into the squad and show what he can do. I would expect him to integrate quickly and we think he can be a really good acquisition for us.

“It is important for their confidence that we have brought in players who have been playing regularly and performing well. Hopefully they can come here, show our lads what they have got, break into the team and show everyone what they can do.”

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Pringle loan at Grimsby ended now shipped out to Tranmere

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Joe Rafferty full back in from Rochdale and Callum Woods to Bradford both permanent deals

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Paul Gallagher Extends His Contract Until 2020

Preston North End midfielder Paul Gallagher has signed an extension to his contract until at least the summer of 2020.

The PNE No.12, who could make his 250th appearance for the club against former employer Stoke City this weekend, has agreed a new deal adding a further 12 months to the contract he signed last summer.

‘Gally’ joined the club for the first time back in 2007/08, playing 19 games in a six-month loan spell and returned - on loan again - under Simon Grayson in 2013, going on to become the player to make the most on loan appearances in the club’s history.

He signed a permanent deal at Deepdale in the summer of 2015 and has become a vital member of the dressing room, scoring 36 goals and making 62 assists in his 249 games so far, as well as being sat on 98 career goals.

Speaking about committing to the club once again, the 34-year-old believes he still has a big part of play at the club.
“It has always been at my ambition to stay at this football club as long as I possibly can. It drives me on each day to try and get better and I feel with age I am doing that and I still have a lot to give on and off the pitch.
“Over the last few months, I have really enjoyed being part of the team and earning a new contract is pleasing. I have always had it in me that I want to strive hard and do the best I can. I will know when my time comes to hang up my boots, but right now I feel I have plenty to give to this team.”

Manager Alex Neil feels that with a young squad at the club, the influence of Gally's experience and professionalism is vital to the development of the group.

He said: "Gally influences a lot of games, with both his set pieces and his quality. With having him around the young lads that we have got, his experience and calmness is really important to us. He can pass on a lot to our younger players and we are delighted he has extended his stay."

Preston North End have completed their fifth permanent signing of the January transfer window with the signing of Rochdale full back Joe Rafferty.

The Liverpool-born defender has agreed a three-and-half-year deal at Deepdale and joins from the Spotland club for an undisclosed fee.

Joe, 25, came through the Academy at Liverpool and was with the Reds from nine-year-old until 18, after which he joined Dale and has played over 250 appearances in six-and-a-half years with Keith Hill’s side.

He takes the No.15 shirt vacated by fellow full back Calum Woods and after putting pen to paper he spoke to his excitement at getting started.

“Once I knew there was interest from Preston North End, I couldn’t wait to get the deal over the line; this is a massive club,” he said.
“I have been at Rochdale for six years, played a lot of games and I think I can bring some experience into the club. I had a good chat with the manager and he came across very well. I understand what he wants and I hope I can do well for him and the club.”
Manager Alex Neil, who adds Joe to previous signings Josh Ginnelly, Jayden Stockley, Brad Potts and Connor Ripley, feels the new man will add further versatility to his squad.

He said: “Joe is flexible. He played left back and right back in his last game! He is a really good character, with good qualities – he will get up and down the pitch – and he will add good competition in that area.

“I think it will be a really good challenge for Joe, to come up and show what he can do and it is a challenge he should relish. He has been at a big club, taken a step back to play games and hopefully now he is ready to kick on and show his abilities at a higher level and we are very hopeful he can go on and do well.”