Preston have signed Ben Woodburn on a free transfer having impressing after just a week of his proposed two-week trial spell with the club.
North End returned for pre-season training at Euxton last Monday and there was a surprise name involved.
Free agent Woodburn was involved in Preston’s preparations having been released by Liverpool this summer.
It was initially reported as a two-week trial spell and Lowe claimed that Woodburn would be with Preston ‘for a while’ as a trialist.
Woodburn then went and scored against Bamber Bridge in Preston’s first pre-season friendly on Saturday, helping North End to a 3-0 win.
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Preston have signed Ben Woodburn
Just a couple of days on, Preston have now confirmed the signing of Woodburn on a permanent basis.
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Woodburn has penned a one-year deal with the option of a second in what looks like a relatively risk-free move.
Woodburn, 22, was once tipped as something of a wonderkid during his time at Liverpool.
The Welshman became Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer with a Carabao Cup goal against Leeds United in 2016.
Many were expecting big things from Woodburn but he lost his way and failed to really live up to his billing.
Woodburn had loan spells at Sheffield United, Oxford United, Blackpool and Hearts without really getting himself back on track.
North End boss Lowe really believes in Woodburn though and has tried to sign him at previous clubs.
Lowe talked up Woodburn’s versatility whilst speaking to Preston’s official website, suggesting that he can play as a number 10, up front or as a midfielder.
Lowe even suggested that Woodburn could play right wing back, something we wouldn’t be all that keen on seeing given that Preston need a specialist in that area.
“He can play in numerous positions. He can play as a ten, just off the striker, or in any of the eight positions, whether it be left or right,” said Lowe.
“He’s probably even capable of playing right wing back, so he’s someone who can play a few positions which is always nice, but ultimately he’s an attack-minded player who we feel can create and score goals,” he added.
We would imagine that Woodburn is being brought in as direct competition for Daniel Johnson as Preston’s chief midfield playmaker.
Johnson is out of contract next summer and Preston need to think about a succession plan, which could be Woodburn if he impresses.