Mathew Hudson’s patience paying off as he extends Preston North End stay

Mathew Hudson has played a patient game over the years at Preston North End and hopes to start making bigger steps forward after signing a new contract at Deepdale.
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PNE announced yesterday that the goalkeeper had signed a new two-year deal.

Hudson’s previous agreement was due to run out at the end of the month and now he has until the summer of 2022 to keep impressing.

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It is four-and-a-half years since Hudson made his only first-team appearance for the Lilywhites.

Goalkeeper Mathew Hudson has signed a new contract at DeepdaleGoalkeeper Mathew Hudson has signed a new contract at Deepdale
Goalkeeper Mathew Hudson has signed a new contract at Deepdale

That was some baptism of fire, coming off the bench as a 17-year-old against Leeds at Elland Road.

Jordan Pickford had been sent-off for handling outside the box, a red card which was overturned on appeal.

It was only Hudson’s second time on the bench and he came on after half an hour of the 1-0 defeat.

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His other senior matches came on loan at Bury in 2018,a move designed to give him a regular first-team run.

But he played only four times in the Football League Trophy and returned to PNE.

While Hudson is keen for more appearances, he does acknowledge the experience he has been picking up in other ways in recent seasons.

Hudson, 21, told the North End official website: “I have been in this position for quite a while.

“I have experienced being No.2 from when I was 16 or 17.

“Now it is about taking the step to the next level.

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“I feel I have got a lot of experience under my belt, not in a game-time situation but I have done the travelling, been on the bench, experienced being around the first-team environment.”

Having started out in PNE’s academy and winning the Scholar of the Year award in 2016, Hudson has certainly been around for a good while. Hudson, who turns 22 at the end of July, said: “Paul Gallagher mentioned the other day that my testimonial will be coming up!

“It has gone quickly, when I signed we were a struggling League One side.

“To now be at the top end of the Championship pushing for the Premier League, is a privilege.”

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Hudson follows Declan Rudd in signing a new deal during football’s shutdown.

He and Connor Ripley will compete to provide cover for Rudd when the season restarts a week on Saturday.

The fact Hudson has come through the academy makes him a homegrown player

EFL clubs have to name a homegrown player in a matchday squad and Hudson has sat on the bench nine times this season.

Hudson signing up leaves Gallagher and Tom Clarke as the two first-teamers who are now close to being out of contract.