2025–26 Preston North End F.C. season
| 2025–26 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Wordon Limited | ||
| Chairman | Craig Hemmings | ||
| Manager | Paul Heckingbottom | ||
| Stadium | Deepdale | ||
| Championship | 11th | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Milutin Osmajić (2) All: Milutin Osmajić (2) | ||
|
| |||
The 2025–26 season is the 146th season in the history of Preston North End Football Club and their eleventh consecutive season in the Championship. In addition to the domestic league, the club would also participate in the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup.
Transfers and contracts
In
| Date | Pos. | Player | From | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2025[a] | GK |  Daniel Iversen |
 Leicester City |
Bosman | [1] |
| 1 July 2025[b] | LB | Thierry Small |
Charlton Athletic |
[2] | |
| 1 July 2025[c] | CM | .svg.png){kind=small} Jordan Thompson |
Stoke City |
[3] | |
| 1 July 2025[d] | RB |  Pol Valentín |
Sheffield Wednesday |
[4] | |
| 5 July 2025 | Odeluga Offiah |
Brighton & Hove Albion |
Undisclosed | [5] | |
| 22 July 2025 | CF | Michael Smith |
Sheffield Wednesday |
Bosman | [6] |
| GK | Jack Walton |
Luton Town |
Undisclosed | [7] | |
| 25 July 2025 | LB |  Andrija Vukčević |
 Juárez |
Bosman | [8] |
- ^ The transfer was announced on 27 May, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Leicester had ended
- ^ The transfer was announced on 6 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Charlton had ended
- ^ The transfer was announced on 16 May, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Stoke had ended
- ^ The transfer was announced on 3 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Sheffield Wednesday had ended
Out
| Date | Pos. | Player | To | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 June 2025 | CM | Theo Mawene |
Brentford |
Undisclosed | [9] |
| 1 July 2025[a] | CF | Layton Stewart |
.svg.png){kind=small} FC Thun |
[10] | |
| 9 July 2025 | CB | Jack Whatmough |
Huddersfield Town |
[11] |
- ^ The transfer was announced on 9 May, but became official on July 1 once the Swiss transfer window reopened
Loaned in
| Date | Pos. | Player | From | Date until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 July 2025[a] | CF | .svg.png){kind=small} Daniel Jebbison |
Bournemouth |
31 May 2026 | [12] |
| 8 August 2025 | CAM | Alfie Devine |
Tottenham Hotspur |
31 May 2026[b] | [13] |
- ^ The loan was announced on 21 June, and would become official on July 7 once the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup has concluded
- ^ Option to buy included in loan deal
Loaned out
| Date | Pos. | Player | To | Date until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 July 2025 | CM | Kaedyn Kamara |
 Cork City |
30 November 2025 | [14] |
| 8 August 2025 | GK | Li-Bau Stowell |
Warrington Town |
9 September 2025 | [15] |
Released / Out of Contract
| Date | Pos. | Player | Subsequent club | Join date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 June 2025 | CM | Ryan Ledson |
Huddersfield Town |
1 July 2025 | [16][17] |
| CF | Emil Riis |
Bristol City |
[18] | ||
| GK | Freddie Woodman |
Liverpool |
[19] | ||
| CB | Cole McGhee |
Sheffield Wednesday |
2 July 2025 | [20] | |
| LB | Kian Best |
Chelsea |
4 July 2025 | [21] | |
| CF |  Ched Evans |
Fleetwood Town |
25 July 2025 | [22][23] | |
| CM | Kian Taylor |
 Greenock Morton |
[24][25] | ||
| CB |  Patrick Bauer |
[24] |
New Contract
| Date | Pos. | Player | Contract until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 June 2025 | LB |  Kacper Pasiek |
30 June 2027[a] | [26] |
| 11 August 2025 | CAM | Theo Carroll |
30 June 2028[a] | [27] |
Pre-season and friendlies
In June, Preston North End announced pre-season friendlies against Getafe, during a training camp in Valencia, Liverpool, Bamber Bridge, Chorley and Bolton Wanderers.[28][29][30]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 8 July 2025 Friendly | Bamber Bridge | 2–1 | Preston North End XI | Bamber Bridge |
| 19:00 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: SFC Stadium Attendance: 1,021 |
| 9 July 2025 Friendly | Chorley | 0–1 | Preston North End | Chorley |
| 19:30 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Victory Park Attendance: 1,982 |
| 18 July 2025 Friendly | Getafe | 0–0 | Preston North End | Valencia, Spain |
| 18:00 CEST | Report | Stadium: Oliva Nova Sports Center |
| 22 July 2025 Friendly | Preston North End | 0–2 | Tranmere Rovers | Euxton |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Preston North End Training Ground Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors) |
| 26 July 2025 Friendly | Bolton Wanderers | 2–0 | Preston North End | Horwich |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium |
| 2 August 2025 Friendly | Manchester City | 1–0 | Preston North End | Bradford-with-Beswick |
| 13:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Etihad Campus Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors) |
Competitions
Overall record
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | ||||
| Championship | 9 August 2025 | Matchday 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 50.00 | |
| FA Cup | Third round | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | — | ||
| EFL Cup | 12 August 2025 | First round | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 | |
| Total | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 66.67 | |||
Last updated: 16 August 2025
Source: Soccerway
Championship
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Coventry City | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 4 | Qualification for the Championship play-offs |
| 6 | Birmingham City | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | |
| 7 | Preston North End | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | |
| 8 | Southampton | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | |
| 9 | Hull City | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 |
Updated to match(es) played on 17 August 2025. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[31]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[31]
Results summary
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Last updated: 16 August 2025.
Source: Soccerway
Results by round
Updated to match(es) played on 16 August 2025. Source: EFL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed
Matches
On 26 June, the Championship fixtures were announced, with Preston travelling to Queens Park Rangers on the opening weekend.[32]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 9 August 2025 1 | Queens Park Rangers | 1–1 | Preston North End | Shepherd's Bush |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Loftus Road Attendance: 16,804 (1,322 PNE fans) Referee: Oliver Langford |
| 16 August 2025 2 | Preston North End | 2–1 | Leicester City | Preston |
| 15:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Deepdale Attendance: 16,797 (2,669 Leicester City fans) Referee: Gavin Ward |
| 23 August 2025 3 | Preston North End | v | Ipswich Town | Preston |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Deepdale |
| 30 August 2025 4 | Portsmouth | v | Preston North End | Milton |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Fratton Park |
| 13 September 2025 5 | Preston North End | v | Middlesbrough | Preston |
| 12:30 BST | Stadium: Deepdale | |||
| Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved live Sky Sports broadcasting.[33] | ||||
EFL Cup
Preston were drawn away to Barrow in the first round[34][35] and then at home to Wrexham in the second round.[36][37]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 12 August 2025 First round | Barrow | 0–1 | Preston North End | Barrow-in-Furness |
| 19:30 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Holker Street Attendance: 3,108 (938 PNE fans) Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 26 August 2025 Second round | Preston North End | v | Wrexham | Preston |
| 19:45 BST | Stadium: Deepdale |
Statistics
Appearances and goals
- As of match played 16 August 2025
Players with no appearances are not included on the list
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Championship | FA Cup | EFL Cup | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 1 | GK | DEN
|
Daniel Iversen | 2 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | ESP
|
Pol Valentín | 3 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | MNE
|
Andrija Vukčević | 3 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 4 | MF | ENG
|
Benjamin Whiteman | 3 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | SCO
|
Liam Lindsay | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | NIR
|
Ali McCann | 3 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | DEN
|
Mads Frøkjær-Jensen | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 12 | GK | ENG
|
Jack Walton | 1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | ENG
|
Jordan Storey | 2 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | WAL
|
Andrew Hughes | 3 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 19 | DF | ENG
|
Lewis Gibson | 3 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | ENG
|
Theo Carroll | 1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 21 | MF | ENG
|
Alfie Devine | 3 | 1 | 1+1 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 22 | MF |  ISL
|
Stefán Teitur Þórðarson | 3 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 23 | FW | DEN
|
Jeppe Okkels | 1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 24 | FW | ENG
|
Michael Smith | 3 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | ENG
|
Thierry Small | 3 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 28 | FW | MNE
|
Milutin Osmajić | 3 | 2 | 2+0 | 2 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 42 | DF | ENG
|
Odeluga Offiah | 3 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
References
- ^ "Daniel Iversen Returns To PNE". Preston North End FC. 27 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "Thierry Small Signs Four-Year Deal At PNE". Preston North End FC. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Jordan Thompson Becomes First Summer Signing". Preston North End FC. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "North End Bring In Pol Valentín". Preston North End FC. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Odel Offiah Joins On Four-Year Deal". Preston North End FC. 5 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "Michael Smith Signs For PNE". Preston North End FC. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ "North End Bring In Goalkeeper Jack Walton". Preston North End FC. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ "Andrija Vukčević Joins Permanently". Preston North End FC. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ "Theo Mawene Joins Brentford". Preston North End FC. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ "Layton Stewart Departs". Preston North End FC. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ "Jack Whatmough Joins Huddersfield Town". Preston North End FC. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ "Daniel Jebbison To Join PNE On Loan". Preston North End FC. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ "Alfie Devine Joins On Loan From Tottenham Hotspur". Preston North End FC. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ "Kaedyn Heads To Cork On Loan". Preston North End FC. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ "Li-Bau Gets Loan Move To Warrington Town". Preston North End FC. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ "Ryan Ledson To Leave PNE". Preston North End FC. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Ryan Ledson Joins Town". Huddersfield Town AFC. 30 May 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Riis is a Robin". Bristol City FC. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ "Liverpool set to sign goalkeeper Freddie Woodman". Liverpool F.C. 27 June 2025.
- ^ "Professional deals for six young Owls". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "Chelsea complete Kian Best signing". www.chelseafc.com. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ^ "Ched Evans Leaves PNE". Preston North End FC. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ "Ched Returns To Town". Fleetwood Town FC. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ a b "2025 Retained List". Preston North End FC. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ "Kian Taylor Is The Next Summer Signing". Greenock Morton FC. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ "Kacper Pasiek Signs Pro Deal". Preston North End FC. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Theo Carroll Signs First Professional Contract". Preston North End FC. 11 August 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "PNE To Face Getafe In Spain". Preston North End FC. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "PNE To Host Liverpool In Pre-Season". Preston North End FC. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Three More Pre-Season Friendlies Confirmed". Preston North End FC. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". English Football League. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "Championship 2025/26 fixtures, dates, schedule & how to watch: Birmingham vs Ipswich, Southampton vs Wrexham open new season". Sky Sports. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Middlesbrough Kick-Off Time Changed". Preston North End FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Carabao Cup Round One confirmed". English Football League. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "Barrow Carabao Cup Tie Details". Preston North End FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "Wrexham At Home In Carabao Cup Round Two". Preston North End FC. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Tickets | Wrexham (H)". Preston North End FC. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.