Louis Moult endured a tough spell at Preston North End after joining from Motherwell in 2018. The striker had been prolific in Scotland; scoring 49 goals in two-and-a-half seasons.
But despite scoring some memorable goals with The Lilywhites, long-term injuries meant his stay in Lancashire never truly got going. At times it looked like he would be the ideal poacher in Alex Neil’s side.
Moult arrived in the same transfer window as Jordan Hugill left for West Ham United, but Moult’s transfer had already been agreed for some time, so wasn’t seen as a direct replacement. Neil had an in form Sean Maguire as well as Callum Robinson and Tom Barkhuizen providing an attacking threat.
So Moult had to make do for a place on the bench more often than not but two goals in his first half season came at Sheffield Wednesday and at home to Burton Albion.
Five goals came in his next season including a wildly celebrated winner at Nottingham Forest, a last minute equaliser at Hull City, and a goal in the 4-1 home win against Blackburn Rovers.
In the 2019/20 season he scored on his first start in the second game of the season; a 3-0 win over Wigan Athletic. He kept his place for the next match, but disaster struck in that game at Swansea City. He suffered cruciate ligament damage to his knee. A number of complications meant he had to have three operations.
It was 19 months before he returned to the squad. Despite being on the bench a few times, Moult wouldn’t play for Preston again and left in the summer of 2021.
Moult then moved to Burton Albion, but injured his ankle in a friendly which led to a five month lay-off. Last year he returned to Motherwell on loan, but only managed one goal.
However last summer he made the move to Dundee United, now in the Scottish Championship, and Moult has had his best goal scoring season for some time. Perhaps most importantly he’s managed to play more games at this stage of the season than he had done in the last three seasons combined.
He’s scored 11 goals in 23 games for Dundee United who are currently top of the table and looking to make an immediate return to the top flight.
The 31-year-old has three goals in his last two games, and the number nine is finally enjoying his football again. Moult was a likeable character at Preston, taking his time to do a lot of good work off the pitch, for charitable causes associated with the club.
After a very tough three or four year spell it’s great to see him back amongst the goals again, and he will make himself a hero in Dundee if he can lead The Tangerine side of the city to promotion.