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Preston North End are pleased to confirm Liam Lindsay has returned to the club on a permanent basis from Stoke City.

The central defender has signed for an undisclosed fee, putting pen to paper on a two-year deal to keep him at Deepdale until 2023.

25-year-old Liam spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan with the Lilywhites after joining on deadline day in February, and he went on to feature 13 times in the Championship, scoring twice while helping the team keep four clean sheets in that period.



His permanent move to PNE puts an end to Liam’s stay with Stoke City, who he joined back in 2019 from Barnsley for an initial fee of £2m.

Speaking to PNE.Com after completing his move, Liam said: "I’m delighted and just happy it’s been done so quickly as well. I always wanted to come back here and I’m just looking forward to the season ahead.

"I got a good feeling as soon as I came really - the players, staff, just everyone about really. I've enjoyed my time so much over the last six months and I'm delighted to come back.

“[When I signed] on deadline day, it was a bit hectic, so it’s better to get it done on the first day rather than the last now. It gives me a bit of clarity and a bit of stability as well so I’m just happy to get it done.”

Gametime had been limited at his last club Stoke City and first team football was a major draw for the defender to come to Deepdale last season.

During his time with the club, he built relationships with both the players and management staff, including head coach Frankie McAvoy, who has full faith Liam will be a success at PNE.

Frankie added: “We’re absolutely delighted. Thanks to Mr Hemmings and Peter Ridsdale for getting the deal done.

“He did great for us when he came on loan, in particular the latter parts when I was head coach. He did really well for us in that back three system so we’re delighted to add him to the squad.

“When he was at Barnsley he did really well and then Stoke paid quite a bit of money for him and unfortunately it didn’t work out.

"That can happen sometimes for players, but what he’s got now is an opportunity and a chance to express himself and show the Preston North End faithful the Liam Lindsay that we know he’s capable of being, so we’re delighted with that.”

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Stockley to Charlton permanent

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Charlton Athletic are delighted to confirm the permanent signing of Jayden Stockley from Preston North End for an undisclosed fee.

The striker scored eight goals, with two assists, in 22 appearances during a successful loan spell with the Addicks at the end of the 2020/21 season and has penned a three-year deal with the club amid plenty of interest from other teams in Sky Bet League One.

Stockley, who publicly stated his intent to stay at The Valley on numerous occasions, was excited to sign for the club. He said: “I’m very pleased that my journey at Charlton isn’t over. I have loved my time here and now I’ll get the chance to play in front of the fans and experience The Valley properly.

“We just missed out on a play-off place on goal difference last season, so there is some unfinished business – I just can’t wait to get started.”

The 27-year-old becomes the club’s first signing of the summer transfer window and is also the first signing since the appointment of Nigel Adkins as Charlton Manager.

Adkins said: ”I’m delighted we’ve signed Jayden. He was a crucial part of our strong finish to last season. The Charlton fans will already be very aware of what he brings - he works hard when we are in and out of possession, he brings others into play well, he has a lot of quality on the ball and he brings us goals. He’s also a fantastic character, someone who is great to have around the dressing room, so I am looking forward to continue working with him.”

Charlton Owner Thomas Sandgaard said: “Jayden came in January and made a big difference for us, he was popular with the fans, players and staff. Given his form and track record, there was understandably interest in signing him from our promotion rivals. He wanted to play for Charlton Athletic though and we wanted him here, so I am pleased we’ve been able to sign him permanently. I am sure the fans will give him a warm welcome when he finally gets to play in front of our supporters at The Valley.”

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Following the earlier announcement that ten scholars have signed on with PNE, the club are delighted to announce that Noah Mawene and Josh Seary have committed to signing professional deals in the future.

The two youngsters are just 16 years of age and will first and foremost spend time with the youth team as scholars, but they have both agreed professional deals which will be triggered once they turn 17.

Midfielder Noah has close connections with the Lilywhites given that his father Youl spent six years at Deepdale and is well remembered by the North End faithful.

Noah himself has hugely impressed playing with the U18s this season, scoring double figures, while also captaining the team on occasion.

Reacting to his deal, Noah said: “It’s a huge honour to be around this club, obviously my dad was around this club so it means a lot.

“I’m looking forward to my future at this club. It’s just a privilege what I’ve been offered. I’ve worked hard for it, so I’m just going to continue the work and see where my football takes me.”

Meanwhile, his team-mate Josh, who has spent time in the Republic of Ireland youth setup, has also been catching the eye in the youth team in the past season, despite also playing in a higher age group.

The right back told iFollow PNE: “I’m absolutely made up. It’s a lot of hard work and dedication, but I’m just made up that it’s finally done.

“You want to be among the best players at the club so to be training with the first team is something to look forward to in the future.”

Everybody at the club would like to wish both Noah and Josh the best of success in their future with Preston North End.

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Van den Berg season long loan

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Preston North End are pleased to confirm Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg will return to the club on a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old defender, who has played four times for the Reds’ senior team, joined the Lilywhites on loan in February for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign and went on to feature 16 times in the Championship.

Sepp becomes PNE's second signing of the summer, following the arrival of Liam Lindsay from Stoke City, and he will report to pre-season training at the beginning of July with the rest of the squad ahead of his first full season with the Lilywhites.



Speaking after completing the deal, Sepp said: "I’m very pleased. I said it last season at the end that I would love to come back and I was really happy it worked out. I’m just looking forward to playing a whole season now and playing from the start.

“Hopefully I’ll see the fans very soon and of course see the players and the staff again. I really enjoyed last season so I’m just really excited for the upcoming season."

Meanwhile, head coach Frankie McAvoy said: “We’re absolutely delighted. We’re very grateful to Liverpool for allowing him to come back here and obviously to Sepp for choosing to come back to us.

“He loved his time here last season. He’s a young boy learning his trade and for me he’s fitted in well with a group that made him feel welcome and a part of it.

“He came as a right centre back. He didn’t get many games playing in that position, but he fitted in really well as a right back and then as a right wing back. I thought he was fantastic. I think he’s done really well and we’ll see how he does at right centre back.

“What he’s got to try and do is go again for the second time and hopefully produce what I and the coaching staff believe that he’s capable of.”

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Izzy Brown arrived

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Preston North End are pleased to announce Izzy Brown will join the club on 1st July on a one-year deal, with the option of an extra year, following the expiration of his contract at Chelsea.

The 24-year-old, who has played in all attacking areas both wide and centrally throughout his career, has been with the Blues since 2013, but has spent most of that time out on loan.

He arrives with 80 games worth of experience in the Championship and experience of promotion into the Premier League with Huddersfield Town in 2017.



Speaking to iFollow after signing, Izzy said: “I’m over the moon to finally get this done. It’s been in the works for a couple of weeks now, but I’m absolutely delighted to be here.

“Now I’m getting to that age where I want to develop myself as a player and hopefully be a legend at a club, and I really feel like Preston’s a place where I could do that.”

Izzy has become the club’s third signing of the summer window, following Liam Lindsay and Sepp van den Berg through the door.

Head coach Frankie McAvoy added: “He’s got good pedigree. He’s got great experience in terms of playing in the Championship and an ex-Chelsea player from a young age.

“He’s had quite a few loans over his time, some he’s done well, others maybe latterly not done as well as he hoped, so he just needs to find that self-belief again and confidence. But we’re certainly getting a player with undoubted talent, very offensive and we’re looking forward to working with him.

“He can play across the front, but probably his preferred position is a ten behind a striker or two, depending on how we play. He can also play in pockets off right and left, so he adds that bit of versatility to our front players and I think if we can get him up and running, believing in himself, being confident in his own ability then I’m sure he’ll endear himself to the Preston faithful.”

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Olosunde signed

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Preston North End are pleased to announce Matthew Olosunde will join the club on 1st July following the expiration of his contract at Rotherham United.

The right back, who has signed a two-year deal at Deepdale, has spent the past two years with the Millers, experiencing both promotion and relegation in that period.

Before his move to South Yorkshire, he had a three-year stay at Manchester United, who first brought him to the UK in 2016.



Speaking to iFollow PNE about his move, Matthew said: “I’m very happy for this opportunity and I’m excited to start this new journey and give all I can for the club.

“I’m definitely looking forward to getting into it and getting to grips with things, and meeting all the lads. It’s always good getting to meet new people and make new friends, so I’m very excited.”

The 23-year-old will head straight into pre-season training on Thursday morning when the rest of the squad return for their first day back at Euxton.

Head coach Frankie McAvoy added: “We’re delighted to get Matthew through. It’s taken a bit of time to get the deal over the line, so credit to Mr Hemmings and Peter [Ridsdale] for making this possible.

“He’s a player that we’ve had an eye on for a while to be honest. We’ve watched him progressing at Rotherham. He’s got great energy and athleticism to get up and down the right hand side. He can play as a right full back or wing back, so we’re delighted to have another addition.

“He’s had one cap already for the United States, so hopefully he can find a home here and start to do well, kick on and he’ll be looking to try and get back into the United States setup. This club gives him the platform for him to do that.”