[themaclad]

Preston North End are delighted to confirm Max Wilson has signed his first professional deal with the club.

The 18-year-old has penned a contract to keep him at Deepdale until at least the summer of 2027, with the club holding the option of extending by an additional year.

Max, in the second year of his scholarship, will now head out on his first loan spell to join up with Irish side Galway United until 30th November 2025.

Speaking after signing his new deal, Max said: “I’m delighted after being here for so long. It’s good to be able to go to that next step and keep pushing on.

“The loan to Galway is an opportunity for me to play men's football and get me ready because obviously I want to push onto the first team here and play in front of fans every week. It's a whole different level compared to Academy football.



“If I do well there, then hopefully I can take what I've learned and come back here and impress.”

Max joined the club as an U9 and has worked his way through the ranks to becoming a professional. Even before becoming a scholar, the midfielder – who’s also capable of playing as a striker – was featuring regularly for the U19s, and he was named Scholar of the Year at the end of the 2023/24 season.

That was a successful campaign for the youngster, as he captained the team to both league and cup title victories.

Manager Paul Heckingbottom said: “Max is a player highly regarded within our Academy system and he’s been a key player in the U21s and reserve matches so far this season.

“His ability and physicality for his age is clear to see so it’ll be great for Max to go out to Ireland and get his first taste of men’s football, before coming back to us.”