First-Team Squad

Preston North End’s first-team squad of 32 players for the 2024/25 season at Deepdale has been assembled for manager Paul Heckingbottom. The Lilywhites’ squad includes three goalkeepers, nine defenders, 13 midfielders and seven forwards.

Preston North End goalkeepers

Freddie Woodman

Preston North End signed Freddie Woodman from Newcastle United in July 2022. The shot-stopper had spent the prior nine years at St James’ Park. He made his Lilywhites debut away to Wigan Athletic on July 30, soon becoming Preston’s number one.

David Cornell

The Deepdale outfit bolstered their goalkeeper department in 2022 with the addition of free agent David Cornell. He left Peterborough United after the expiration of a one-year contract.

James Pradic

James Pradic left Charlton Athletic in his youth to join Preston North End’s academy. He entered the Lilywhites fold at U18 level and has since enjoyed a loan spell at Bamber Bridge.

Preston North End defenders

Patrick Bauer

Preston North End added Patrick Bauer to their first-team squad in July 2019 as their first signing of the summer. The defender had left Charlton Athletic at the end of his contract.

Liam Lindsay

Stoke City initially agreed to loan Liam Lindsay to Preston North End in February 2021 before selling them the centre-half. He has since amassed more than 65 appearances with the club.

Jordan Storey

Jordan Storey joined the Preston North End first-team squad in 2018 after developing in the academy at Exeter City. He briefly left Deepdale in 2022 to join Sheffield Wednesday on loan.

Andrew Hughes

Long-time Newport County man Andrew Hughes secured a move to Preston North End from Peterborough United in 2018. The Welshman has since enjoyed more than 170 appearances.

Jack Whatmough

Preston North End took advantage of Jack Whatmough terminating his contract with Wigan Athletic to sign the centre-half in August 2023. He left the Latics after scoring once across 37 Championship games in 2022/23.

Kian Best

Preston North End promoted Kian Best to their first-team to add a versatile defender to the squad. The prospect enjoyed a breakthrough season with their academy in 2022/23 with his ability to play as a left-back, a centre-half or as a defensive midfielder.

Josh Seary

Preston North End signed Josh Seary to his first professional contract in June 2021. It only became active upon the defender’s 17th birthday. While he had to wait until August 2023 to make his senior debut against Salford City in the EFL Cup.

Kaine Kesler-Hayden (on loan from Aston Villa)

Highly-rated youngster Kaine Kesler-Hayden joined the Lilywhites on loan from Aston Villa ahead of the 2024/25 season. The youngster will provide Paul Heckingbottom’s backline with pace and athleticism.

Preston North End midfielders

Ben Whiteman

Preston North End signed Ben Whiteman from Doncaster Rovers in 2021. The Sheffield United product cost the Lilywhites £1.5m and has gone on to play in more than 100 fixtures.

Mads Frokjaer-Jensen

Mads Frokjaer-Jensen left Odense BK to join Preston North End’s first-team squad in July 2023. The midfielder’s move marked his first adventure away from the Danish side, where he had spent his entire career for 120 outings.

Robbie Brady

Preston North End took advantage of Robbie Brady leaving AFC Bournemouth to add the ex-Burnley star to their first-team squad. The Republic of Ireland ace added a creative threat.

Ali McCann

Preston North End paid St Johnstone £1.2m to sign Ali McCann in 2021 after driving down an initial £3m asking price. He made his debut for the Lilywhites at Bristol City that September.

Ryan Ledson

Everton product Ryan Ledson left Oxford United after two years to join Preston North End in 2018. The former England U20 international has since amassed more than 150 appearances.

Duane Holmes

Huddersfield Town accepted an undisclosed fee from Preston North End for the transfer of Duane Holmes in July 2023. The American spent two-and-a-half years with the Terriers and featured 27 times in the 2022/23 Championship season.

Kian Taylor

Preston North End promoted Kian Taylor to their first-team squad in July 2023 after honing his trade in their academy. The boyhood PNE fan impressed the club’s staff with his versatility to play as a midfielder, a right-back or a centre-half.

Noah Mawene

Preston North End awarded Noah Mawene his first professional contract in June 2021. The midfielder – and son of PNE legend Youl Mawene – had been a part of the club’s academy since the U13 level.

Brad Potts

Barnsley banked £1.5m by selling Brad Potts to Preston North End in 2019. The ex-Blackpool man has since enjoyed more than 170 appearances and made his bow against Swansea City.

Theo Mawene

The younger brother of Noah Mawene, Theo Mawene signed his first professional Preston deal ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Josh Bowler (on loan from Nottingham Forest)

Josh Bowler joined the Lilywhites on loan from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2024. The winger is vastly experienced at Championship level having featured for the likes of Blackpool and Cardiff City.

Sam Greenwood

Preston signed youngster Sam Greenwood on a one-year loan deal from Leeds United in July 2024. The attacking midfielder has also spent time out on loan at Championship rivals Middlesbrough.

Stefan Thordarson

Stefan Thordarson joined the Lilywhites from Danish outfit Silkeborg. The Icelandic midfielder is expected to add some quality to the Preston midfield.

Preston North End forwards

Will Keane

Will Keane returned to Deepdale in July 2023 after Preston North End agreed to terms with Wigan Atletic. The striker had made 22 outings for the Lilywhites whilst on loan from Manchester United in 2015.

Ched Evans

Ched Evans initially joined Preston North End on loan from Fleetwood Town in January 2021 before sealing a permanent deal. He has since scored more than 15 goals in over 70 games.

Layton Stewart

Preston North End strengthened their attacking options with a permanent transfer from Liverpool for Layton Stewart in July 2023. He left Anfield having spent his entire career at the Merseyside club but only featured once in their first-team in the EFL Cup.

Emil Riis

Preston North End kicked off October 2020 by securing a £1m transfer for Randers striker Emil Riis. The Danish forward had previously played in England for Derby County’s academy.

Milutin Osmajic

Preston North End signed Milutin Osmajic from Cadiz in a club-record £2m deadline day deal in September 2023. The Lilywhites beat the deadline to land the Montenegro international, who scored eight goals during 2022/23 whilst on loan to FC Vizela.

Jeppe Okkels

Preston continued their recent trend of signing Scandinavian players with the acquisition of Jeppe Okkels from Utrecht. The Dane is expected to add some quality in wide areas for Heckingbottom’s side.