'Incredible servant' - Huddersfield Town senior figures react to Preston North End transfer

Lee Nicholls has been labelled an ‘incredible servant’ to Huddersfield Town following his exit to Preston North End.

The Lilywhites announced the arrival of the experienced goalkeeper on Wednesday afternoon, for an undisclosed fee. It brings to an end the 33-year-old’s five-year spell with the Terriers, for whom he made 178 appearances and kept 49 clean sheets.

Town sporting director Chris Markham said: “First and foremost, Lee has been an incredible servant for the Club and moves on to his next challenge knowing that he will always be welcome here at Huddersfield Town.

“A move that speaks to Lee’s priorities both personally and professionally, the deal also reinforces our ability to adapt the Men’s First Team ahead of the 2026/27 season.

“An excellent professional and even better person, we’re thankful to Lee for his commitment to the Club in his time here with us and wish he and his young family the very best for their new chapter.”

Head coach Martin Drury added: “Lee has been at the Club for a long period of time and has been part of really successful teams here. It’s been a real pleasure for me to have worked with him, and I’ve the utmost respect for him and what he’s achieved so far in his career.

“Whilst he will be missed, I’m pleased that this move is one that Lee and ourselves feel is the right one, at the right time. On behalf of myself and the staff, we wish him well within his new chapter.”

Nicholls - who hails from Liverpool and worked with PNE goalkeeping coach Mike Pollitt previously - will provide added back-up to number one, Daniel Iversen. He has made 115 appearances at Championship level in his career.

Town expert on Nicholls move

Huddersfield reporter, Steven Chicken, analysed the move on his dedicated, subscription-based site We Are Terriers. He labelled Nicholls an ‘excellent professional’ and praised his attitude to consistently fight for the shirt, and loyalty to the club in past windows.

Although hailed as a ‘reliable presence’ for the vast majority of his Town career, Chicken did point towards a ‘steady’ drop-off over the last couple of years. That is described as ‘entirely normal’, though, given the stage of Nicholls’ career.

The shot-stopper’s kicking is listed as a weakness but Huddersfield’s poor defensive record is by no means put down to Nicholls’ performance level. Chicken reinforced the player’s popularity among Town fans and the trust he both earned and maintained.