Former Preston North End and once £8m Sunderland man remains free agent along with ex-Man United starlet

Former Preston North End and Premier League forward Connor Wickham is still without a club.

The 31-year-old was on a short-term deal at Charlton Athletic at the end of last season, but the Addicks opted not to extend his stay. He scored once in four games after joining from Championship side Cardiff City. Wickham had a brief spell at North End, after signing in September 2021.

He made two appearances but suffered a hamstring injury on his first start, and his short-term contract was not extended. Wickham later joined MK Dons and found his feet again with Forest Green Rovers, before departing for an opportunity in the Championship.

Wickham is now awaiting a club to take a chance on him again. He’s had 10 clubs over the course of his senior career and was once signed by Sunderland - for a reported £8m. 

Speaking earlier this year on Sky Sports News, he said: “I'm still only 31 really. It feels like I've been around for ages.  I still want to push myself to be at a good level, at the top level. I've still got a few years left where I feel like I can still provide that.

“I'm just going to keep training, stay fit. I've had options, but I feel like I want to challenge myself.  I don't want to get to the end of my career and be like, ‘I wish I did this, I wish I did that’. I’m sure sooner or later the right opportunity will come along and it will be one that will fit me and challenge me.”

Wickham isn’t the only player with a North End connection, who remains without a club. Josh Harrop arrived at Deepdale with a buzz around him, after scoring on his Manchester United debut in 2017.

But, he decided against trying to break into Jose Mourinho’s first team and instead signed for PNE. Harrop spent five years of his career at Deepdale, with loan spells at Ipswich and Fleetwood.

In total, he made 95 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring 13 goals. The 28-year-old joined Northampton Town in December 2022, but was limited to just two appearances.

He bounced back, six months after his release, to join Cheltenham Town. Harrop played 13 times for the Robins, but couldn’t prevent them from being relegated and he left upon the expiry of his deal.