14-01-2021, 15:33
Ben Whiteman Joins On Permanent Deal
Preston North End have completed the permanent signing of Doncaster Rovers’ captain Ben Whiteman for a significant undisclosed fee.
The 24-year-old midfielder has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal and will take the No.17 shirt for the Lilywhites.
Ben came up through Manchester United’s Academy before heading across the Pennines to Sheffield United, where he was given his debut by Nigel Clough back in 2014.
He has gone on to make almost 200 professional appearances in the last six years, scoring 32 goals in the process and, subject to governing body ratification, will be available for the weekend’s trip to Bristol City.
Speaking after becoming the club’s fourth signing of the January transfer window, the Rochdale-born man said: “I am over the moon to be at this massive football club.
"There weren’t many sides that I would have moved onto from Doncaster, but this ticked all the boxes and once I spoke to the manager it was a no brainer for me.
“As soon as I had finished with him, I had made my mind up straight away. He spoke very well and spoke very highly of the football club and I can’t wait to start.”
North End manager Alex Neil was delighted to have completed another deal for a much sought-after player, saying: “We have been after him since the window opened and we have managed to stave off a number of other suitors, who were interested, so it has been great business from us.
“He is a player who has his best years ahead of him. He is only 24 and I am really happy that we have managed to get him in.”
Club Captain Alan Browne Commits Future
Preston North End captain Alan Browne has put pen to paper on a new three-and-a-half-year deal at Deepdale.
The Irish international’s new contract takes him to the summer of 2024 and to ten years with the Lilywhites.
The No.8 joined the club in January 2014 and has gone on to make 273 appearances, scoring 35 goals. He was the Sir Tom Finney player of the year winner in 2018, as well as picking up two goal of the season awards.
During his time with the club, he has also become a regular with his country, scoring once in 11 appearances for the Republic of Ireland and he was appointed club captain in the summer.
Speaking after completing the deal Alan said: “I have been here a long time and it is such a relief to get it over the line and have a few more years of me being at this fantastic club and hopefully we can make the next coming years successful.
“It is time to take the next step with my career. I had different opinions from different people and I wanted to gather as many opinions as I possibly could I felt that this was the right decision for me and hopefully I can progress with my own career, as well as with the football club.”
Manager Alex Neil was also delighted his skipper had committed his future to the club. He said: “The fact that since Tom Clarke left, we have made Alan the captain, shows how him how high a regard we hold Alan.
“He has been an ever-present since I have been here and his will to win, what the club means to him, how long he has been there, he is the right guy to take that armband forward and I am delighted he has committed himself to doing that for the next few years.”
Preston North End have completed the permanent signing of Doncaster Rovers’ captain Ben Whiteman for a significant undisclosed fee.
The 24-year-old midfielder has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal and will take the No.17 shirt for the Lilywhites.
Ben came up through Manchester United’s Academy before heading across the Pennines to Sheffield United, where he was given his debut by Nigel Clough back in 2014.
He has gone on to make almost 200 professional appearances in the last six years, scoring 32 goals in the process and, subject to governing body ratification, will be available for the weekend’s trip to Bristol City.
Speaking after becoming the club’s fourth signing of the January transfer window, the Rochdale-born man said: “I am over the moon to be at this massive football club.
"There weren’t many sides that I would have moved onto from Doncaster, but this ticked all the boxes and once I spoke to the manager it was a no brainer for me.
“As soon as I had finished with him, I had made my mind up straight away. He spoke very well and spoke very highly of the football club and I can’t wait to start.”
North End manager Alex Neil was delighted to have completed another deal for a much sought-after player, saying: “We have been after him since the window opened and we have managed to stave off a number of other suitors, who were interested, so it has been great business from us.
“He is a player who has his best years ahead of him. He is only 24 and I am really happy that we have managed to get him in.”
Club Captain Alan Browne Commits Future
Preston North End captain Alan Browne has put pen to paper on a new three-and-a-half-year deal at Deepdale.
The Irish international’s new contract takes him to the summer of 2024 and to ten years with the Lilywhites.
The No.8 joined the club in January 2014 and has gone on to make 273 appearances, scoring 35 goals. He was the Sir Tom Finney player of the year winner in 2018, as well as picking up two goal of the season awards.
During his time with the club, he has also become a regular with his country, scoring once in 11 appearances for the Republic of Ireland and he was appointed club captain in the summer.
Speaking after completing the deal Alan said: “I have been here a long time and it is such a relief to get it over the line and have a few more years of me being at this fantastic club and hopefully we can make the next coming years successful.
“It is time to take the next step with my career. I had different opinions from different people and I wanted to gather as many opinions as I possibly could I felt that this was the right decision for me and hopefully I can progress with my own career, as well as with the football club.”
Manager Alex Neil was also delighted his skipper had committed his future to the club. He said: “The fact that since Tom Clarke left, we have made Alan the captain, shows how him how high a regard we hold Alan.
“He has been an ever-present since I have been here and his will to win, what the club means to him, how long he has been there, he is the right guy to take that armband forward and I am delighted he has committed himself to doing that for the next few years.”
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