Preston North End

Preston, Millwall and Stoke are interested in a move for Hull City right-back Cody Drameh, 24, who has a year left on his contract at the MKM Stadium. (Sky Sports, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.

The 72+ podcast is BACK and it's got a brand new home.

Follow along as Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff dive into the biggest stories across the EFL, with expert analysis, exclusive guests and the moments everyone is talking about.

A new episode drops on Tuesday night so make sure not to miss it by clicking subscribe on the new 72+: The EFL Podcast BBC Sounds page here.

Preston North End are targeting 23-year-old Sheffield United striker Tom Cannon and hope to bring the Republic of Ireland international back to Deepdale after a loan spell with the Lilywhites in 2023. (Football League World), external

For more EFL transfer news and rumours, read Monday's full gossip column here.

Don't forget to tap the 'follow' button at the top of this page to stay up to date with your club's latest news.

Ross Heaton
BBC Radio Lancashire

Image source, Getty Images

It was an afternoon when much of the focus was on the location, but it ended in celebration.

Preston North End booked their place in round two of the Carabao Cup after showing character and composure in a memorable match on Merseyside for two new signings.

A red card for Lewis Gibson midway through the first half had Paul Heckingbottom's men on the ropes but they cleared their heads and found a way to hit back.

Goodison Park became home for a day just under 60 years after Howard Kendall famously made the 35-mile journey from Preston to sign for the Toffees.

'The Grand Old Lady' has played temporary host to visitors before, including Pele's Brazil in 1966, Sir Matt Busby's Manchester United and the FA Cup final in 1894 and 1910.

With the finishing touches being made to Deepdale's pitch, the Championship side walked out in a slightly surreal atmosphere that finally grew as the 'home' side attacked the Gwladys Street End bearing Kendall's name.

When Radinio Balker headed in for Huddersfield Town during the first half, Gibson's dismissal looked a fatal blow to any hopes of progression.

Heckingbottom and his team deserve credit for a revitalised display after the restart, refusing to lose.

Former Preston goalkeeper Alan Kelly looked completely mystified alongside me in the commentary box as several big appeals for penalties were waved away.

The tide of the game kept flowing to our left and the Preston fans, despite their team's numerical disadvantage.

Heckingbottom has been honest about how much more transfer business is needed, but new recruits Jusef Erabi and Delano Burgzorg wasted no time in making an impression from the bench.

After earlier stinging the palms of Matty Young with a ferocious drive, Erabi was on hand to turn in Burgzorg's low ball in stoppage time. A special debut with members of the Swede's family travelling from Scandinavia to watch first-hand.

Burgzorg's contribution did not end there. The Dutchman coolly slotted in the decisive penalty in the shoot-out after Daniel Iversen had made two terrific saves.

The match started with a testimonial-esque level of noise but by the end Preston fans found their voice, playing their part in seeing the team through an unusual fixture.

Preston will have to wait a fortnight for their return to Deepdale. How different the squad will look by then remains to be seen.

What will have pleased Heckingbottom is the steel and resilience shown by his players in the face of adversity. There will be many tests to come, but this one they passed.

Their opening Championship game at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday (12:30 BST) will not be any easier.

A sold-out away end of 4,400 may make the visitors feel at home on the road for the second week in succession.

Listen to Jusef Erabi's full interview with BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC sounds here - and do not forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Image source, Getty Images

Can't get enough of your beloved Championship club? Fear not.

BBC Sport covers all 24 Championship sides with dedicated online and radio reporters at hand to tell the story from every angle.

Expect match reports, analysis, in-depth features, interviews, fan views, quizzes - the works.

We'll also have live text pages for every Championship match this season so you won't miss any of the action even when you're out of town.

Remember, the best way to get all of this content is to download the BBC Sport app and follow your favourite teams and sports using the My Sport tab.

Once you've set this up, you'll have quick access to those pages at the top of your Home tab and we'll be able to serve you better, more personalised, experiences in future.

And when following your Championship team, from the start of the 2026-27 season you'll also get Live Notifications which gives you score updates directly on your phone's lock screen during a match.

Preston North End's new striker Jusef Erabi won player of the year for Hammarby IF in his breakout season in top-flight Swedish football in 2023 at the age of just 20.

His performances earned him a permanent move to Belgian Pro League side Genk in 2025-26 and he arrives on loan at Deepdale with 48 goals to his name in 174 senior career appearances.

But what can Lilywhites fans expect from Erabi this season in terms of his playing style and what he can bring to the team?

The 23-year-old has been speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire and describes himself as a forward capable of producing a bit of "everything".

"First of all, I would say I'm a team player, which I think is a really important thing because if we have 11 players out there that just want to score themselves, it's going to be difficult," said Erabi, who is of Afghan descent but was born in Sweden.

"I'm a really hardworking striker that likes to help the team in the pressing, in the way we play.

"I like to score goals, of course, contribute points, and just overall for me the win is the most important thing. If I don't score but we win the game, that's the most important thing."

When asked about his specific strengths, he added: "I would say everything, but at the same time, the one thing I think I'm good at is that you can always improve.

"I think my hold-up play is good, the way I press, the intensity, the work ethic and obviously the finishing.

"I love finishing with the head and with my feet, both feet. So it's a little bit of everything, but of course I can improve in everything as well."

Listen to Jusef Erabi's full interview above or on BBC sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore more Preston content on BBC Sounds

Preston North End have agreed a £2m deal for Dutch Middlesbrough forward Delano Burgzorg, 27.

Striker Kaly Sene is also poised to depart Boro for Swiss side Young Boys in a deal worth £1m for the Senegalese 25-year-old. (Northern Echo, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

Image source, Getty Images

Preston North End have accepted a bid from Wrexham for skipper Ben Whiteman BBC Radio Lancashire reports, after the midfielder told boss Paul Heckingbottom he had "played his last game" for the club.

Whiteman joined Preston North End from Doncaster Rovers in 2021 and has since gone on to play 224 games for the Lilywhites.

However, it looks like the 30-year-old will be departing Deepdale on a sour note.

"Ben knew there was a line I didn't want him to cross and unfortunately he has," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire, external before the Welsh side made their bid.

"There's a valuation on him, I just hope for Ben's sake that Wrexham are willing to pay it otherwise he's put himself in a sticky situation.

"He's made his bed. I'm not bothered as long as I get another player."

Watch Heckingbottom's full thoughts on the saga below or listen on BBC Sounds here

Explore more Preston North End content on BBC Sounds

Preston North End are ready to put behind them the disappointment of missing out on the Championship play-offs last season, says captain Ben Whiteman.

The Lilywhites were fourth in the table at the start of January but won only four of their final 20 games to finish 14th, 13 points short of the top six.

"I understand the fans' frustration and we're just as frustrated. Once you put yourself in that position in January you want to keep pushing on," Whiteman told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Dan (Iversen - goalkeeper) was a massive loss when he got injured, but again not making excuses we weren't good enough over the piece. But it's gone, it's a new season now and we're looking to kick on.

"Since I've been at the football club the back end of the season has never been good enough, whether that's external or internal factors, it is disappointing but it's a fresh start and a season we're all looking forward to."

Preston made a statement of intent earlier this month when signing midfielder Alfie Devine from Tottenham for a club-record fee and Whiteman is pleased to have played a small part in encouraging him to make his loan move permanent.

"I kept in contact with Alfie over the summer as a bit of a sounding board for him," the 30-year-old added.

"You have a good season and there's a few clubs after you and you need that bit of guidance and that's what I tried to reiterate to him over the summer that coming back here he's loved by the players, fans and staff - once the finer details got sorted this was the only place he wanted to come to."

Preston start the new Championship season away at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, 15 August (12:30 BST).

Listen to more Preston North End interviews and content on BBC Sounds.

Bristol City, Stoke City, Sheffield United and Preston North End are battling for the signature of Ipswich Town right-back Harry Clarke, 25, with the Robins the most advanced in their pursuit of the Englishman. (Talksport), external

For more transfer news and rumours, read Thursday's full gossip column here.

Preston are among a clutch of clubs keen on 22-year-old Oxford United winger Stanley Mills (Pete O'Rourke, external)

Want more news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.

Image source, Getty Images

England's progress to the World Cup semi-final has resulted in Preston North End postponing a pre-season friendly.

The Championship club were due to visit Chorley on Wednesday, 15 July, but the match has been called off as England will face Argentina on the same evening.

Preston will start their pre-season schedule away at Bamber Bridge on Tuesday, 14 July (19:00 BST), with the club having no friendlies scheduled for their Deepdale stadium while pitch improvement work is carried out.

The upgrade has also meant their Carabao Cup first-round tie at home to Huddersfield on 1 August has been moved to Everton Women's Goodison Park.

The Lilywhites will start the new Championship campaign away at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, 15 August (12:30 BST).

Preston North End have made an ambitious attempt to sign the versatile Northern Ireland international Justin Devenny from Crystal Palace, though the 22-year-old is also admired by Leicester City and Southampton. (Lancashire Post), external

Wolves have reportedly identified Aston Villa attacker Lewis Dobbin, 23, as a potential summer transfer target, with Middlesbrough and Southampton also linked with the English former Preston loanee. (Lancashire Post), external

For more transfer news and rumours, read Thursday's full gossip column here.

Record signing Alfie Devine is a benchmark of what Preston North End's ambitions are, according to the club's former goalkeeper Alan Kelly.

The midfielder has signed a five-year contract after moving from Tottenham to Deepdale having been on loan last season, scoring eight goals in 45 Championship appearances.

The fee is undisclosed but the club have said it is "almost three times" what they paid for Portsmouth forward Callum Lang in February, which was reported to be around £2m.

"He's someone all Preston fans were looking to see back and for the club to pay a reported £6m, everyone will be delighted with that," said Kelly, who now works as a summariser for BBC Radio Lancashire.

"There were a lot of teams after him because of his quality, so to go out and get him, it sets a benchmark and what they're prepared to spend."

Preston were third in the Championship table in mid-December before going on to finish 14th and Kelly believes they and Devine will be targeting a big improvement next season.

"Alfie Devine is someone the team can be built around and I think he warrants that sort of money and could be worth even more moving forward so it's a win all round for the player, club and the fans," he said

"He'll have the drive of having been at a Premier League club like Spurs and will want to take Preston there - he'll have aspirations and dreams and signing for the club means he's been told they can come to fruition."

You can listen to more Preston North End interviews and features on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Preston North End's Carabao Cup first round tie at home to Huddersfield Town has been moved to Goodison Park.

Deepdale is having a new hybrid pitch installed which the club say will be ready in time for their first home Championship game against Wolves on Saturday, 22 August.

The cup tie kicks off at 15:00 BST on Saturday, 8 August, the week before the new league season starts.

"To ensure no issues after a significant £1.5m-plus investment, the decision was made to ask permission to play away from PR1 in round one," Preston said in a statement., external

Goodison Park was the home of Everton up until the start of the 2025-26 season when they moved to their new Hill Dickinson Stadium with the Toffees' women's team taking up sole residency.