[themaclad]

Preston North End can confirm Daniel Johnson will leave the club at the end of his contract.

The two parties have been in discussion since the conclusion of the 2022/23 campaign regarding the renewal of his deal, however DJ has informed the club he will be moving on.

Famously arriving for a fee of just £50,000 in 2015, the Jamaica international has since gone on to write his name in the North End history books.

The club’s 2020 Player of the Year became the 28th man to make 300 appearances for PNE back in August 2022, following in the footsteps of skipper Alan Browne.

Contributing 57 goals throughout his time at Deepdale, DJ has been an important figure for the club and has, on many occasions, worn the captain’s armband.


Manager Ryan Lowe said: “We’re disappointed but DJ wants a new challenge.

“I had a fantastic relationship with DJ and all the players did and I’m sure all the fans did too, but sometimes people want fresh challenges and that’s what DJ’s told us he wants to do, and we have to respect that decision.

“He’ll go down as a legend at the football club and rightly so because he’s a very talented footballer.

“It’s disappointing because of what he’s done here over the years and we’d have liked to have had a better send off for him, if this was going to be the case.

“We’ve been in dialogue with him for a long time regarding him staying. We’ve done everything we possibly can to keep him, but we wish DJ all the best as he moves on to a new venture.”

Everyone at PNE would like to thank DJ for his fantastic service to the football club and wish him the very best for the future.

Preston North End can confirm Josh Onomah will leave the club at the end of his contract.

The 26-year-old, who joined North End in January 2023 on a deal until the end of the season, was offered and agreed a new contract with the club.

However, complications have seen negotiations extend into pre-season, and the club have now taken the decision to move on.

During his time at Deepdale, Josh made 13 appearances, with nine of those coming off the bench.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “We offered Josh a contract about a week before the season finished and we were in negotiations with Josh and his representatives.





“Josh’s contract terms were agreed, but there’s been a lot of complications with the deal regarding if and when he could sign, which was out of our control.

“Unfortunately we’ve had to move on to other targets because we just couldn’t wait any longer.

“We wish Josh all the best and hopefully he gets back playing somewhere because he’s a talented boy, but we just couldn’t wait any longer in what was a difficult situation.”

Everyone at the club would like to thank Josh for his efforts and wish him the best for the future.

[themaclad]

Preston North End are delighted to welcome Peter Murphy to the club as part of Ryan Lowe’s coaching staff.

Peter, 33, recently spent five and a half years as a coach at Wigan Athletic, covering a number of roles during that time.

Working as chief scout firstly before then becoming U18 and subsequently lead U23 coach, Peter ended his time with the Latics in May as first team development coach.


With PNE, his main focus will be on set plays and on the development of the club’s younger players within the first team environment.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “Peter arrives with experience of coaching ever since having to retire early as a player and he’s very well thought of in the game.


“We’ve been looking at bringing somebody in who can bring something new to the party and Peter’s skillset is what we’ve been looking for.

“Having worked with different age groups at Wigan Athletic, he’s helped produce some top young talents and that’s what we want to do here at Preston North End.

“We’ve got a lot of good youngsters in and around the first team who will need some time to develop, and that’s what Peter can offer.

“He will also help with first team sessions of course, with a particular focus on helping us with our set plays.”

The club can also confirm Paul Gallagher has left his role as first team coach. Everyone at Preston North End would like to thank Gally for his tremendous service both as a player and a coach during his long stint with the club.



As confirmed on Wednesday evening, Paul Gallagher has left his role as first team coach at Preston North End following a long-term association with the football club, to pursue an opportunity elsewhere.

There probably wasn’t anybody who expected that a young 22-year-old arriving on loan from Blackburn Rovers back in 2007 would go on to become such a modern-day hero at PNE.

Gally made 19 appearances during his first stint at the club before going on to prove his talents elsewhere, prior to his return to Deepdale on another loan deal in 2013.

Under Simon Grayson, Gally became a key cog in the side who achieved a place in the end of season Play-Offs, and when he scored in the semi-final second leg it looked as though he was going to help North End reach Wembley, but unfortunately Rotherham United came back and won on the night.

Determined to go a step further, Gally returned to PNE the following season and upped his game even further, going on to score seven and assist 17 to not only help PNE reach the Play-Offs but ultimately the Championship.


Despite the joys of Wembley, where he assisted two goals, the midfielder was forced off through injury and it was feared that might be the end of his time with the club – but the story wasn’t going to end there.


A permanent move followed and, despite the step up in divisions, Gally’s performances remained top drawer, going on to be named Supporters’ Player of the Year, while also winning the Goal of the Season award for an outrageous volley against Charlton Athletic.

He may have been getting older but his performances were certainly not deteriorating. Moving more into a central midfield role – as opposed to his forward or wide positions of years gone by – Gally was still putting in top performances week in, week out.

Funnily enough, one position he will never be forgotten for playing in was between the sticks when he stepped up to take the gloves in an away game against Ipswich Town in 2018, and he even pulled off an incredible save to earn his side a point.

You’ll also never watch a highlight reel without seeing his unique penalty-taking technique of: back to goal, run to the edge of the box, turn, smash it. And the majority of the time, it worked.

There was to be an end to his playing days, though, as in May 2021 Gally made the difficult decision to retire, but he stayed on as a first team coach, firstly under Frankie McAvoy and then under Ryan Lowe.

Gally went on to spend two seasons on the coaching staff at PNE, working closely with the manager, Mike Marsh, Mike Pollitt and of course the playing staff at Euxton.

His departure from the club was confirmed on 5th July and he leaves with the best wishes of Ryan Lowe, the coaching staff and everyone at PNE.

[themaclad]

Mads Frøkjær-Jensen Signs For Preston North End

Preston North End are delighted to confirm Mads Frøkjær-Jensen is set to join the club on a four-year deal, subject to international clearance and a work permit.

The attacking midfielder arrives from Danish club Odense Boldklub for a significant undisclosed fee and is set to take the No.10 shirt at Deepdale.

Mads said: “I had a big dream of coming to a new club this summer and England has always been a big dream of mine since I was a small kid, so I’m excited and right now it’s pretty surreal it’s actually happened.


“I always said to my family and agent that when I leave it had to be for a club outside of Denmark so it’s just a dream come true.

“I’m very happy, it’s much bigger than where I come from so everything’s good. I’m a happy kid.”



Mads, 23, made over 100 appearances during his time as an OB player after joining them as a teenager.

He made his first appearance in the Danish Superliga in April 2019 and soon became a regular for his first professional club.

The capped Denmark U21 international scored eight times during the 2022/23 campaign and he will now join up with PNE ahead of the new Championship season, once international clearance and a work permit have been granted.

Manager Ryan Lowe added: “We’ve been monitoring Mads for a while since the scouting department found him, so when we knew we had a chance of signing him we did everything we could to try and get him.

“Peter [Ridsdale] flew over to meet him on Friday and struck the deal while we were in Spain, so it’s good to have Mads in the building today and signed up.

“He’s an attacking midfielder with a good size and stature whose numbers tally up to what we want.

“He’s a ball carrying number eight and that’s where he’ll play for us, or anywhere in those midfield areas.

“Ultimately he’s a young lad coming from Europe who’s very willing to keep learning and improving, and I’m delighted we could get the deal sorted.”

---

[themaclad]

Preston North End Recruit Duane Holmes

Preston North End are delighted to confirm the signing of Duane Holmes on a two-year deal.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who has spent the previous two and a half years with Huddersfield Town, has completed the move to Deepdale, with the terms of the deal undisclosed.

Duane – a capped United States international – has featured almost 200 times in the Championship and has also been involved in two second tier Play-Off campaigns.


Speaking after joining the club, Duane said: “I’m very happy. I spoke to the manager last week and thankfully it’s all gone through pretty quickly.

“I played with him at Bury for a short time and obviously since taking on the role of a manager he’s done really well wherever he’s gone and I’m looking forward to working with him.


“I played against Preston a lot last year and the way we want to play is good.

“I’ve just been watching training out there and it was looking very good. The lads look really fit, really sharp and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Born in Georgia, United States, the midfielder moved to Yorkshire at a young age and came through the ranks with the Terriers.

Permanent moves to Scunthorpe United and Derby County followed, before he returned to the John Smith’s Stadium in 2021.

He will now join up with North End ahead of the start of the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship campaign.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “Duane’s going to be a good addition for us and he’s one I’m excited about because he’s a creator and he can score goals.

“He’s been a solid Championship player for many years. He’s a good footballer who can carry the ball, and he knows his roles and responsibilities.

“I’ve known Duane for many years since playing with him when he was just starting out and I’ve kept following his career.

“We’ve added two players with a lot of quality in the past couple of days so I’m really pleased, and we’re in negotiations with a few other players so we’re looking to keep adding over the next few weeks.”

[themaclad]

[themaclad]

Will Keane done and dusted

[themaclad]

Will Keane is “really excited” to be back at Preston North End, eight years on from his loan spell at Deepdale.

The striker rejoined the club on a two-year deal on Friday evening, making the move from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee.

Having spent half a season with North End back in the 2015/16 campaign – PNE’s first back in the Championship – Will is looking forward to being back in familiar surroundings.

“I’m really excited,” he said. “It’s great for me to have that challenge again and be in the Championship next season.

“It’s been an enjoyable two years at Wigan but it felt like the right time to move forward and I think this is the perfect place for me to kick on.

“I’m really excited to be back here and I can’t wait to get going. I’m just looking forward to being a part of it and bring what I can to the table.

“I can hopefully help the squad keep moving in the right direction. I’m just really pleased and can’t wait to get back out there at Deepdale.”


First Team News
Will Keane Returns To Preston North End
11 Hours ago
Having scored 39 goals for Wigan Athletic during the past two seasons, Will arrives after arguably the best goalscoring spell of his career.

That’s something he’s looking to continue with PNE in the Championship – a division he was keen to return to, following the Latics’ relegation last term.

Will said: “It was good to get back to the level last year and obviously off the back of that I want to kick on again now.

“I feel like the setup here is the perfect opportunity for me. It’s a massive club and I think since I was last here it’s become a really stable Championship club that’s looking upwards and hopefully I can come and contribute towards the effort and have a good season.

“I think I’ve got a few more years’ experience in me and I really enjoyed my time here last time.

“I would have liked to have had more goals but I think that’s something I’ve got back to doing the last couple of years.

“I’ve had a really good run of games and the form has come with that. My ambition is to come into the team and to contribute by scoring goals.

“That’s what I know ultimately I’m judged on and that’s what I’m looking to do.”

There was one moment in particular during his earlier stay at Deepdale which the Republic of Ireland international is well remembered for.

Will scored a superb solo goal at Turf Moor in a Lancashire derby against Burnley, picking the ball up on halfway before gliding forward to send a great strike through his brother Michael’s legs and into the back of the net.

“It's always one that I still bring up every now and again,” he laughed. “It’s a fond memory and a really sort of special occasion for the family. It was nice to come out on the right end of it.

“I’ve still got the picture somewhere of me putting it through my brother’s legs so we have a good laugh about it and hopefully there are many more special memories to come

[themaclad]

Preston North End are delighted to confirm Rob Kelly has joined the club as first team coach.

Rob is returning to familiar surroundings at Deepdale having been part of the North End backroom staff between 2007 and 2010.

Working under Paul Simpson and Alan Irvine during that spell, the former Leicester City manager also had stints as the Lilywhites’ caretaker boss.


Since his departure from the club, Rob has gained plenty of experience elsewhere, including at Bury where he was assistant manager to Ryan Lowe.

Most recently working at Wigan Athletic, Rob now joins the coaching staff at PNE ahead of the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship season.


Manager Ryan Lowe said: “I’m really pleased Rob’s joining us as a first team coach. He’s got a wealth of experience and that’s going to be vitally important to both the staff and the players.

“I worked with Rob for a short period in my early managerial career and I’ve kept in contact with him ever since.

“He’s somebody who’s helped me get to where I am today, so to have the opportunity to work with him again is fantastic.

“I think it’s a big coup to be able to bring someone like Rob to Preston North End, where he’s worked before, and I’m looking forward to having him as part of the coaching staff.”

[themaclad]

Preston North End are delighted to confirm the signing of striker Layton Stewart from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old has signed a three-year deal at Deepdale and could make his debut for the club in Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Aberdeen.

Layton had been with Liverpool since the age of seven, progressing through the ranks at Anfield and scoring consistently at each level of youth football.

Layton said: “I’m delighted to be here. It’s another step in my career, on my journey, so I think it’s the right move for my development to try and get some first team football.

“I’m delighted it’s a permanent because I can get settled in, start to find my feet and I can’t wait to meet the lads and play.
“I’ve scored at youth level but I’ve got to take it into a first team environment now and try and do it for Preston in the games that I play in.

“I need to be with the lads and try and find my feet fast. It’s a big opportunity but it’s a good one for me to develop and obviously I need time, but hopefully I can do what I’ve done over the past few years.”

Layton penned his first professional deal with Liverpool in February 2020 and made his senior bow for the Reds in a Carabao Cup tie against Derby County in front of over 52,000 fans at Anfield.

The forward – who often played alongside PNE midfielder Ben Woodburn with Liverpool – had a fantastic season in Premier League 2 in the 2022/23 campaign, scoring 11 goals in 17 matches.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “Layton’s a player I’ve monitored and known for many years at Liverpool and I’m really glad we’ve got him in on a permanent deal.

“It’s important to have one of our own and tied down to a long-term contract so we can really develop him and hopefully turn him into a top player.

“What I will say is we’ll take our time with him and build him up. He’ll need to get used to Championship football so I don’t want to put too much pressure on him from the outset, but we’re really excited to have him here.

“He’s a fox in the box and more importantly he’s a real goalscorer. He’ll learn loads here and we feel we can get him in the right areas to give him the chances we know he can put away.”


Layton Rhys Stewart (born 3 September 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays for Preston North End as a striker.[2]

Career[edit]
Stewart was named in the Liverpool first team squad for the first time in December 2019, for an Carabao Cup tie with Aston Villa. Liverpool had named a squad of Academy players due to the first team competing in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar in the same week.[3][4]

From Huyton, Stewart signed his first professional contract with Liverpool in February 2020. Despite suffering an anterior cruciate injury to his knee the club gave him a new contract in May 2021 as he was undergoing rehabilitation.[5]

On 9 November 2022, Stewart made his senior debut when he started for Liverpool in a win against Derby County in the third round of the 2022–23 EFL Cup at Anfield.[6]

On 22 July 2023, Stewart joined Preston North End on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[7]

[themaclad]

Preston North End can confirm Jacob Slater has joined Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee.

The left-sided defender joined the North End Academy at U12 level and progressed through the ranks before going on to make his senior debut in the Carabao Cup in August 2022.

Another substitute appearance followed at Molineux against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and he then signed his first professional contract in September.


Since then, Jacob has been training exclusively with the first team at Euxton and has featured regularly during pre-season.

Jacob now joins the Seagulls, who will play in the Europa League during the 2023/24 campaign, and everyone at Preston North End would like to wish him all the very best for the future.

Goalkeeper James Pradic has returned to Bamber Bridge on a youth loan until 1st January 2024.

The 18-year-old spent the final weeks of the 2022/23 season with Brig, helping them to reach the Play-Off final by saving a penalty in a shootout against Gainsborough Trinity.

He now returns to the NPL Premier Division side ahead of the new campaign which will get underway with a trip to face Matlock Town on Saturday 12th August.


James – a Wales youth international – is a professional at Deepdale, having signed his first deal back in July 2022, but he’s yet to make his first team bow.

Everyone at PNE wishes James all the best during his loan spell!