Preston North End are reaping the rewards of Neil Warnock deciding to let Duane Holmes leave Huddersfield Town this summer.
As we have said before, the summer transfer window was quite simply one of the best in recent memory for PNE.
We saw some imports from abroad as Mads Frøkjær-Jensen, Liam Millar and Milutin Osmajic all arrived.
Ryan Lowe struck the right blend though, bringing in some experienced Championship performers too.
Will Keane and Jack Whatmough came in from Wigan Athletic, but arguably the biggest bargain of the summer was PNE was Duane Holmes.
Duane Holmes shining for Preston North End
Holmes penned a two-year deal at Deepdale as he decided to leave hometown club Huddersfield Town.
The 29-year-old arrived with connections to PNE boss Lowe and his assistant Mike Marsh.
Holmes played alongside Lowe at Bury before being coached by Marsh at Huddersfield.
That will have made the move appealing to Holmes and we are seeing him make a big impact.
Holmes has already bagged three goals and two assists in 16 Championship appearances this season.
Fans have taken to Holmes quickly and absolutely love the American after a strong start to life at North End.
Holmes is a bundle of energy and has added a real transition threat for PNE with his ability to carry the ball and support the attack from deep.
Just look at his goal against Coventry City earlier this month, following up on the edge of the box to rifle a loose ball into the net.
The run in behind to set up Will Keane at Stoke City, the fearless diving header to score against Plymouth Argyle, the patience to hold his run and score against Swansea City – we have seen real moments of quality from Holmes.
All of this leaves PNE fans wondering just why on earth did Neil Warnock let him leave Huddersfield Town?
The Terriers sit 21st in the Championship and have scored only 14 goals this season – the third-lowest tally in the Championship.
Warnock suggested to Examiner Live that Holmes had struggled with injuries at Huddersfield and wanted to ‘help him out’ by sanctioning the move to PNE.
Warnock has now left Huddersfield but there must be some Terriers fans wondering how Holmes was allowed to walk away to a Championship rival.
PNE have so far been fortunate in terms of Holmes’ injury record and Lowe must be absolutely delighted with how this signing is playing out, with Holmes becoming a firm fan favourite in his opening months at Deepdale.