Burnley, a competitor of Preston North End, has successfully completed a free-transfer for dependable Paul Heckingbottom ally John Egan.
After being released by Sheffield United at the end of the previous season, the Republic of Ireland international was signed to a one-year contract by the Lilywhites’ Lancashire and Championship rivals.
Egan, who appeared ready to sign with West Ham of the Premier League last week, is head coach Scott Parker’s sixteenth summer addition. He arrived in time to be taken into consideration for Burnley’s trip to Leeds on Saturday.
The 31-year-old was viewed by some Deepdale supporters as a player Heckingbottom may use to try and instill some of his style in the team he recently took over from Ryan Lowe.
The two collaborated at Bramall Lane throughout their respective tenures, with former Blades captain Egan making 45 Championship appearances in the 2022–2023 season that Heckingbottom led United to promotion to the Premier League.
The centre back is now firmly a Burnley player and prepared to support the Clarets’ ambitions to return to the Premier League at the first request, therefore the possible trade never happened.
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Josh Bowler, a winger for Nottingham Forest, was one of five new players that Preston signed over the summer when Heckingbottom was appointed manager.
In case the new Deepdale manager decides to expand his options by signing free agents, PNE still has three spots available in their Championship ranks.
The next game for Heckingbottom & Co. is on Saturday at Riverside Stadium against Middlesbrough. On Saturday, October 5, Preston will visit Turf Moor with Burnley.
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