Preston have snapped up Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer on loan for the rest of the season – and he’s straight in to face West Bromwich Albion.
North End have been linked with Archer throughout January thanks to Ryan Lowe’s friendship with Villa boss Steven Gerrard.
We reported on Thursday that a deal for Archer was moving in the right direction and that move is now complete.
Archer joins until the summer and will be looking to shine in the Championship and show Gerrard that he can handle the step up to the Premier League.
Archer arrives having impressed for Villa in limited minutes this season. In just two EFL Cup games, Archer smashed four goals.
That kind of impact would be perfect for North End, who are still searching for attacking fluency under new boss Lowe.
Archer could actually make his debut on Wednesday having signed in time for the trip to West Bromwich Albion.
That seems perfect for an Aston Villa lad; the chance to become an instant hero against Villa’s rivals.
Preston have also confirmed that Archer will wear the number 21 shirt at Preston, taking over from Connor Wickham following his exit.
Archer wears number 35 for Villa but has decided to change it up again having worn number 25 at Solihull Moors last season.
The last couple of number 21’s at Preston haven’t fared too well. Wickham played just a handful of minutes before leaving earlier this month and Jayson Molumby struggled on loan last season.
Patrick Bauer held the shirt before that, shining in his first season at Preston before moving to number five.
Another loanee held the number 21 shirt in the 2018-19 campaign, with Brandon Barker blowing hot and cold.
Louis Moult took the shirt when he first joined from Motherwell in 2018, with Stevie May and Thorsten Stuckmann holding number 21 before him.
Let’s hope Archer is a real success at Preston, starting with that game against Villa’s bitter rivals West Brom.