Paul Heckingbottom reveals why Preston North End signed ex-Sheffield Wednesday ace, ‘he’s a striker who…’

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Preston North End have continued their impressive business in the summer transfer window with a signing that will quell any relegation fears.

Preston North End flirted with relegation towards the end of the 2024/25 Championship campaign, but managed to dodge the dreaded drop to League One.

Manager Paul Heckingbottom has since sought several signings within the summer transfer window to improve on last season’s 20th-placed finish.

Preston signed Daniel Iversen from Leicester City to coincide with the arrival of Thierry Small from Charlton Athletic and the loan deal for Bournemouth’s Daniel Jebbison.

Building on those stellar signings, the Lilywhites and Heckingbottom have completed a major transfer coup after capitalising on the woes of league rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

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Preston North End sign Michael Smith after Sheffield Wednesday exit

Preston’s Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday have been enduring financial turmoil throughout the summer under the ownership of Dejphon Chansiri.

Two Sheffield Wednesday embargoes have been lifted, but that has not stopped several high-profile departures from Hillsborough, including standout forward duo Josh Windass and Michael Smith.

After three years with the Owls, Smith exited Sheffield Wednesday with an emotional message on social media, with the forward leaving as a free agent after terminating his contract by mutual consent.

It emerged on Monday that Preston wanted to sign Smith to help fill the void of Emil Riis Jakobsen, to aid Jebbison in the goalscoring department.

Now, Preston have pounced after announcing the signing of Smith, who scored eight goals in 41 league outings for the Owls last season.

Heckingbottom told Preston’s website: “Smudge is a player we know all about from his vast experience in the EFL.

“He’s a really intelligent footballer and a brilliant finisher who adds something different to our team with the way he plays.

“He’ll give us a real focal point at the top end of the pitch and he’s a striker who has a proven knack of being in the right place at the right time.”

Many supporters believed Preston won the transfer window with the hilarious Darts-inspired announcement of Smith, and his goalscoring record in the EFL proves why the Deepdale faithful will not have to fear relegation again next season.

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Michael Smith reveals why he chose to sign for Preston North End

Smith brings with him over a decade of EFL experience to Deepdale, and Preston fans ought to be content after winning the race for his signature.

EFL Analysis revealed last week that Middlesbrough held talks with Smith following his Owls exit, with the likes of Wrexham also linked, but the 33-year-old has revealed why he chose to sign for Preston.

Smith told Preston’s media: “I’m delighted to get it over the line so quickly. It’s a big club that I want to be a part of.

“I know quite a few of the boys, so it seems like a good group to be involved in.

“Especially at my age, you want to stay as high as you can for as long as you can and you don’t take anything for granted.

“To be given this opportunity to play for Preston, I can’t wait to get going.”

Smith spent the majority of his career at Rotherham, before joining the Owls in 2022, and going on to help spearhead the club’s promotion from League One back to the Championship.

After Jakobsen joined Bristol City earlier this summer after he exited Preston, Smith’s experience and proven goalscoring record makes him a brilliant replacement for the departed Dane.