Preston North End in Numbers: Josh Harrop deal represents an investment in future

First Paul Gallagher signed on for 12 more months, then Sean Maguire until 2023. Ryan Ledson’s new deal also takes him to 2023, as does Josh Harrop’s.

Four new deals in quick succession is an investment in the playing squad whichever way you look at it – seeing as investment is always a hot topic around PNE.

There may not have yet been the influx of fresh faces that fans were hoping for but that has never been the style of the Lilywhites.

In signing their No.10 up to a new deal we should now see the best of the 24-year-old. Harrop has shown in bursts that he has undeniable quality and can affect the outcomes of games, but that hasn’t been seen regularly enough just yet.

The former Manchester United man arrived in 2017, off the back of his one and only senior appearance, notching for the Red Devils against Crystal Palace.

There was a level of expectation around the playmaker when he arrived but it is easy to forget his development. At 24-years-old, he is still yet to reach 100 professional games – compare that with 23-year-old Ryan Ledson who is near 130.

That is no slight on Harrop, he simply came through an Under-23s squad rather than being out on loan or moving permanently sooner - an adjustment he had to make initially after joining.

He also suffered a season-ending ACL injury which has only slowed his progress.

There is no substitute for game time, he will have matured since joining too, and this is now a great opportunity to kick on.

His fitness has never been a real issue, but as Alex Neil said in his pre-match press conference, consistency is.

With more games under his belt, more experience, more maturity and perhaps even responsibilty, we could soon see Harrop flourish into the goalscoring forward we saw at times last season.

He has had the propensity to look excellent then go missing in the next game.

If he can find a way to make sure he is always involved throughout the 90 and makes the right decisions he could make the difference in games this season.

Signing him up until at least the age of 27 also presents a good opportunity for North End to sell for a good price, if it should come to that.