Preston North End’s five most expensive signings include Champions League winner and international record goalscorer

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Preston North End are having a busy summer transfer window ahead of the 2025/26 season, as they look to bring in players for manager Paul Heckingbottom.

Preston are currently going through their first preseason with Paul Heckingbottom, and he has made a number of signings to shape the squad he wants for the upcoming 2025/26 Championship season.

The Lancashire club only managed to secure their Championship status on the final day of the last campaign, and the club will look to ensure there is no threat of relegation this season.

While the club have gone about doing a fair bit of business, none of them have broken the top five most expensive signings the club have ever made.

Preston don’t often break the bank, and this is seen in their five most expensive signings.

Top five most expensive Preston North End signings

5. David Healy – £1.7 million

Preston took a chance spending heavily at the time on David Healy, as they brought in this Manchester United youth player, who only made three appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Healy would prove his worth at Preston, demonstrating his eye for goal with the Lilywhites, as he scored 45 goals in 145 matches across five seasons with the club.

He made quite an impact at Deepdale, as he was named Players’ Player of the Year in 2004 for his performances on the pitch.

Healy would leave the club in October 2004 after a great season with the club, moving to Leeds United.

4. Jeppe Okkels – £1.7 million

Preston opted to splash the cash on Jeppe Okkels in the summer of 2024, bringing in the winger from FC Utrecht.

However, it would prove to be a poor piece of business at this stage, as he was loaned out to Aberdeen to get minutes in January 2025.

He only played 10 matches last season, with fans hopeful he could play more if he impresses Heckingbottom in training.

3. Tom Bayliss – £1.9 million

Preston signed Tom Bayliss from Coventry City in August 2022 after a good season in League One the season prior.

He would struggle at the higher division, the Championship, with Preston, as he only featured in 21 matches during his three years at the club.

In his final year at the club, he was loaned out to Wigan Athletic, and then he would leave Preston to join Shrewsbury Town, who were competing in League One.

2. Neil Mellor – £1.9 million

Neil Mellor joined the club as he was looking to forge a career after being loaned out by Liverpool to West Ham in his final season with the Merseyside club.

Preston spent big on the signing of the Champions League winner in August 2006, and he would spend six seasons with the club.

Mellor featured in 150 matches, scoring 43 goals, before being loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday in his final season of professional football.

By the end of his career, he was seriously struggling with injuries and so decided to retire, moving into football punditry.

1. Milutin Osmajic – £2.1 million

Milutin Osmajic joined the club in September 2023 and has spent the last two seasons at the club, with it being expected he will once again play a key role at Deepdale.

Preston spent heavily for him as they brought him in from Cadiz after he impressed on loan in the Portuguese top flight for Vizela.

Since joining the Lancashire club, he has featured in 68 matches, scoring 21 goals, and he is hoping to add to this record.