Preston North End will clearly not have to worry about relegation next season after their latest signing

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Preston North End have completed their fourth signing of the summer with a player Paul Heckingbottom describes as having “real pace and power”.

Preston North End finished the 2024/25 season staring down the barrel of relegation and managed to finish just one point above the relegation zone on the final day.

Next season, Preston will be without 12-goal forward Emil Riis Jakobsen, who was previously linked with Sunderland in January, after he departed Deepdale upon the expiry of his contract.

Jakobsen, and a handful of others, including Ryan Ledson, who departed for Huddersfield Town, will not be among Paul Heckingbottom’s squad next season as they look towards a mid-table finish.

As the summer transfer window continues, Preston have been busy in the market, and have shown their intent to dodge relegation with the club’s latest stellar bit of business.

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Preston North End sign Thierry Small from Charlton Athletic

After the arrivals of Jordan Thompson, Daniel Iversen, and Pol Valentin, Preston have added another recruit to the ranks in the form of Charlton Athletic defender Thierry Small on a four-year deal.

20-year-old Small featured 42 times in League One last season, scoring two goals and notching three assists, as Nathan Jones’ Addicks side secured promotion through the third tier play-off final at the expense of Leyton Orient.

Versatile Small told the club’s media: “A large part of my game is I like to be expressive. I’m a player that expresses myself in one-v-ones.

“First and foremost, I do my job defensively and then I like to add the salt and pepper when you’ve worked your way into the game.

“For me, I like getting fans off their seat. I like showing what I can do and hopefully that can show when I’m playing for Preston.

“I just feel as though for me now in my career, in terms of development and in terms of taking my game to the next level, and speaking with the manager here, I feel like this was the next step for me to take.”

Small’s acquisition is the latest in the line of stellar signings made by the Lilywhites this summer, and if they can replace the departed Jakobsen effectively, then relegation fears from the fanbase will be softened going into next season.

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Paul Heckingbottom knows where Preston North End must improve

After the arrival of versatile attacker Small, Heckingbottom said: “Thierry’s someone we were really keen to bring in and I think he’s matched our enthusiasm by making the decision to sign.

“He wants to come here to work hard and keep improving his game. He’s a player with real pace and power, who loves to get at his man one-v-one and get crosses into the box. I’m looking forward to seeing him in a PNE shirt.”

Goals were far too sparse for the Lilywhites last season, and without Jakobsen’s 12-goal Championship season and the nine goals from Milutin Osmajic, relegation could’ve been inevitable.

For context, Plymouth Argyle scored more goals than Preston in the league, and Cardiff equaled their goal tally. However, both teams were relegated to League One.

Small’s signing is a statement of intent to add some excitement and firepower to Preston’s attacking ranks, which will be crucial in staving off relegation and solidifying the club as a mid-table second-tier outfit.