Preston North End have added a sixth summer signing today after announcing the arrival of defender Jack Whatmough.
PNE had already brought in Calvin Ramsay, Mads Frøkjær-Jensen, Duane Holmes, Will Keane and Layton Stewart this summer.
North End have now moved to bolster Ryan Lowe’s back line by signing Whatmough on a free transfer.
Whatmough decided to terminate his Wigan Athletic contract last week, becoming a free agent.
Repeated late payment of wages last season meant Whatmough was able to rip up his deal and seek a move elsewhere.
That didn’t exactly go down well at Wigan but PNE have pounced, handing Whatmough a three-year deal.
Whatmough comes in just as Bambo Diaby is expected to leave the club with Sheffield Wednesday closing in on his signture.
Deepdale Digest writer verdict
Olly Dawes: PNE have been opportunistic here, taking the chance to sign Whatmough on a free transfer after the well-publicised issues at Wigan Athletic.
The Latics are probably raging with North End this summer having not only taken Keane and Whatmough but also coaches Peter Murphy and Rob Kelly.
Wigan may have gone down last season but PNE saw enough in Keane and Whatmough to bring them to Deepdale.
I have been pretty worried about our back line ahead of the new season, with none of the possible three-man combinations particularly appealing.
Signing a new centre back felt like a priority but most likely depended on somebody leaving first.
Diaby seems to be the odd man out, which is something of a risk as the only PNE centre back with a top-end turn of pace.
Whatmough has impressed for Wigan though and seems comfortable on the ball, something North End really need at the back.
Whatmough is also at a good age at 26 and should come in to play a key role in North End’s back line.
On a free transfer, this seems like decent business to me and ultimately a welcome fresh face in Lowe’s defence.
Josh McLaughlin: The arrival of Jack Whatmough seems to make financial sense if he is coming in to replace Bambo Diaby.
The former Wigan Athletic defender will come in on a free transfer whereas we will be able to get a fee for Diaby if his expected move to Sheffield Wednesday goes through.
Whatmough has been a key player over the years for Wigan and Portsmouth but only has one season at Championship level; that season resulted in relegation with The Latics amid financial issues.
Wigan’s downfall has resulted in us picking up a number of their assets. Will Keane has rejoined whilst Rob Kelly and Peter Murphy have joined the coaching staff.
It seems we’re taking the cheap route here again. A defence which started so well last season became leaky and lacks a real leader.
Whatmough is another option in the back three but doesn’t seem like what we need to progress.