Preston North End

Latest updates

  1. Vukcevic joins North End for training camp trialpublished at 11:03 BST 15 July 2025

    Andrija Vukcevic playing for MontenegroImage source, Getty Images

    Montenegro defender Andrija Vukcevic has joined up with Preston North End for a week-long trial at their training camp in Valencia.

    The 28-year-old, who has 18 international caps, is without a club after leaving Mexican side FC Juarez in July.

    He spent last season on loan to Spanish side FC Cartagena, making 23 appearances in LaLiga2, plus one in their Copa del Rey match against SD Beasain.

    Vukcevic could face a Spanish team during his trial with the Lilywhites as North End's training week will culminate with a pre-season friendly against Getafe.

  2. Hecky's rebuild has Preston 'looking stronger' alreadypublished at 19:33 BST 5 July 2025

    Andy Bayes
    BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor

    Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom drinking a bottle of waterImage source, Getty Images

    The Paul Heckingbottom rebuild is well under way.

    Half a dozen new players registered before the second week of July, which is ideal for a North End boss experiencing pre-season with the club for the first time.

    Generally, each position should have two players. There is still work to do in that regard, but you can see signs that Heckingbottom's strongest XI (if there is such a thing these days) is looking stronger than it did in May.

    Daniel Iversen will be the undisputed number one. If he's fit, he plays. A seven-figure sum for Odel Offiah from Brighton would also indicate he'll be at the forefront of the manager's thoughts.

    In less than a year, Heckingbottom has changed his number one, added two centre-backs (Offiah and Gibson) and both wing-back positions have undergone surgery with Pol Valentin and Thierry Small arriving to replace Premier League loan players.

    Heckingbottom's go-to formation has been a back three, but Offiah could open the door to switch to a four, should he mix things up from time to time. Offiah's loan at Blackpool last season saw him have a prolonged spell at right-back.

    Small's arrival from Charlton has excited the fan base. This will be his first taste of Championship action at the age of 20 and perhaps he needs time to settle in to the level. His only season of regular first-team football was a promotion with Charlton last season from League One.

    Valentin offers more experience at 28 and has been in and out of Sheffield Wednesday's starting XI over the past two years.

    The forward area is the one in most need of further reinforcements. Emil Riis and Ched Evans are no longer on the roster.

    Will Keane and Milutin Osmajic have both been linked with moves away but a departure for either is extremely unlikely unless the numbers in that department drastically change.

    Canada international Daniel Jebbison, a loan arrival from Bournemouth, has played under Heckingbottom before at Sheffield United, and he's come to play. His goal output is an area to work on, but with regular football and belief from his manager, he'll be given every opportunity.

    It's a case of watch this space for more forwards to move to Deepdale. If another loan from a top-flight club is being sought, that might have to wait for Premier League overseas trips to conclude.

    As for the engine room, Jordan Thompson is a reliable option with Championship experience under his belt. He's made 42 starts in the last three second-tier seasons and addresses Heckingbottom's admission that his midfield was lacking left-footed options.

    So, six in, so far… it wouldn't be a shock if we're talking double figures in terms of arrivals by the time the window closes.

  3. 'Kesler-Hayden is pretty dynamic - a really strong athlete'published at 10:32 BST 1 July 2025

    Media caption,

    Preston journalist on Kesler-Hayden

    "He's pretty dynamic - he's a really strong athlete and really pacy as well."

    "He's still 22, and there's still improvement to come but on the whole Preston would have loved to have kept him."

    BBC CWR's Will Oelrich spoke to BBC Lancashire's Gary Hunt about Coventry's rumoured pursuit of Aston Villa defender Kaine Kesler-Hayden, who spent last season on loan at Preston North End.

    Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

  4. The biggest dates on the calendar are...published at 12:02 BST 26 June 2025

    The EFL fixture list is out and we know you are bursting to know what you've got to look forward to - or dread - from your team this upcoming season.

    Here are some key dates to put in your diary:

    • 9 August 2025 - v QPR (A)

    • 16 August 2025 - v Leicester City (H)

    • 26 December 2025 - v Stoke City (A)

    • 1 January 2026 - v Sheffield Wednesday (H)

    • 2 May 2026 - v Southampton (H)

    See Preston North End's full fixture list here.

    An image detailing how to follow your Championship team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  5. Fixture day is almost upon us...published at 15:42 BST 25 June 2025

    Your club will soon discover their schedule for the upcoming EFL season. As soon as Thursday, in fact.

    Want to know who your side will face on opening day? The EFL fixtures will be announced at 12:00 BST - but that's not all.

    The day will be rounded off by the first round of Carabao Cup being drawn at 16:30 BST.

    So check back on 26 June to see who your team faces first, last and everything in between.

    An image detailing how to follow your Championship team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  6. Former North End skipper hails early recruitmentpublished at 13:42 BST 25 June 2025

    Ian Bryson, Graeme Atkinson, Martin Atherton and John Roper joined BBC Radio Lancashire to relive their 1996 Division Three triumph
    Image caption,

    Ian Bryson, Graeme Atkinson, Martin Atherton and John Roper joined BBC Radio Lancashire to relive their 1996 Division Three triumph

    Former Preston North End captain Ian Bryson says he's impressed by the club's early recruitment this summer, which has seen five new players added to Paul Heckingbottom's squad.

    The club have signed goalkeeper Daniel Iversen, defenders Pol Valentin and Thierry Small and midfielder Jordan Thompson while most recently striker Daniel Jebbison agreed a season-long loan from Bournemouth.

    Bryson, who captained North End to the Division Three title in 1996, told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I think it's really, really good. It's unusual for Preston - we tend not to, in recent years, get players in until the windows going on and pre-season is well under way.

    "I believe that Paul gave [the recruitment team] a list saying 'I want those players, go and get them' and it looks like that's happened.

    "To get five in is really good. It's about getting that squad together. My biggest thing in the whole of football is team spirit – end of story.

    "If you've got a team of 20 lads out there that want to fight and work for each other, you can be successful. So to get these players in now, get them involved with the rest of the squad early enough, it creates that camaraderie that gives you a chance."

    You can listen to Ian Bryson, Graeme Atkinson, Martin Atherton and John Roper re-living North End's 1996 third division title win here via BBC Sounds

  7. 'Revolution not evolution' for Prestonpublished at 15:53 BST 17 June 2025

    Preston chairman Craig HemmingsImage source, Rex Features

    Preston North End chairman Craig Hemmings has reiterated the club's intention to significantly overhaul the playing squad during this summer transfer window.

    The Lilywhites lost 10 players at the end of the season, with six released upon expiration of their contracts, including Emil Riis, Freddie Woodman and Ryan Ledson.

    Meanwhile, loanees Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jayden Meghoma, Ryan Porteous and Sam Greenwood all returned to their parent clubs.

    Chief executive Peter Ridsdale previously said Preston would likely need at least eight signings.

    The club have already made four, with goalkeeper Daniel Iverson, defenders Pol Valentin and Thierry Small and midfielder Jordan Thompson arriving.

    Hemmings has suggested more players will be brought in between now and the start of the Championship campaign in August.

    "This transfer window more than any other in my tenure as chairman is about revolution and not evolution," Hemmings told the club website, external.

    "Paul Heckingbottom and his coaching staff have a significant opportunity to reshape the football squad into the team and style of play they believe needed to compete for the play-off places.

    "Plans have long been made and player targets identified for the summer transfer window.

    "We believe our scouting infrastructure, analytics focus, and efficient decision-making processes will enable us to move quickly to land some hidden gems, both from the UK and internationally."

  8. Gossip: Preston keen on former striker Robinsonpublished at 12:15 BST 17 June 2025

    BBC Sport's football gossip graphic

    Preston North End are keen on signing former forward Callum Robinson, 30, from Cardiff City after the Welsh club were relegated to League One. (Irish Examiner), external

    Leicester City are weighing up a move for Leeds United forward Sam Greenwood, 23, who spent last season on loan at Preston. (Mail), external

    Take a look at Tuesday's full gossip column to see the latest transfer news and rumours from the EFL

    Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport