Preston North End defender Liam Lindsay is staying put for another two years with the Scot being rewarded for his fine displays this season.
It’s fair to say that Lindsay wasn’t this highly-rated by PNE fans this time a year ago.
The Scot had turned a loan move from Stoke City permanent in the summer of 2021 but was struggling for top form in the first half of last season.
We had our doubts that Lindsay could ever become a quality centre back for PNE but we can admit when we’re wrong – Lindsay has been one of the success stories of the Ryan Lowe era.
Lindsay has been rock solid defensively, racking up clearances, blocks and successful aerial duels all season long.
The 27-year-old looks right at home in the middle of Lowe’s back three and his contract situation has been hanging in the air for a while now.
Many have felt for a while now that Lindsay should be rewarded for his form with a new contract – especially with other clubs potentially lurking.
There had been claims in the media that Hearts and Aberdeen were both looking to sign Lindsay on a pre-contract agreement in January.
That seemed a little like agent talk with Scottish clubs outside of Celtic and Rangers unlikely to be able to contend with PNE on wages.
North End have now made sure that there is no chance of such a deal materialising in January, securing Lindsay’s new contract before the January window.
Lindsay has signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal, keeping him at PNE until the summer of 2025.
That’s one less thing to worry about heading into 2023 and it’s a great indication for other players that if they perform well, they will be rewarded.
We can only praise Lindsay for the way in which he has turned his North End career around and hope that his form can continue moving forward.