New club beckons for Preston North End man as January transfer hopes surely boosted

The last 18 months have been frustrating due to injury, but Keane’s first season back at Preston alone made the swoop worth it. Snapped up from Wigan Athletic for a miniscule fee, Keane displayed the technique, tidiness and smarts that North End fans had seen during his 2015 loan spell.

This time, though, PNE had acquired a far more complete package. Instinct, movement and finishing to go with the nice-on-the-eye stuff. His record of 13 league goals and four assists exceeded expectations, not to mention the 11 points those strikes earned North End that season.

Keane was at the heart of Preston’s incredible start to the 2023/24 campaign, which played a significant part in their eventual 10th placed finish. He announced himself with a late, opening day equaliser at Bristol City and netted twice in a memorable away day victory in the Stoke sunshine.

Paul Heckingbottom will always be grateful to Keane, too, for his winning goal in the first match of his tenure. A precise, swept finish clinched a one-nil win over Luton Town to get PNE, and Heckingbottom, up and running last season. You get the sense Preston’s manager would’ve really valued a fit and firing Keane, which is unfortunate.

The striker certainly wasn’t absent all last campaign, though, and got in on the act for the wonderful FA Cup fifth round victory over Burnley. Keane’s last goal for the Lilywhites will be one he looks back on fondly, and in a way one which sums up a player who has always resembled the ultimate professional.

From not being included in the squad against Norwich City, to being placed on the bench, thrust on to the pitch and scoring a 96th minute leveller... Keane - one of the most pleasant footballers you are likely to come across - carries himself with a great deal of class and knows how to represent a club.

Keane’s contract expires in the summer and he will surely move on to pastures new now: it would be little surprise to see him impress at Reading and earn a deal with the Royals. The forward will be someone reflected on positively at Preston, for both his efforts on the field and personality off it.

His imminent departure, which will follow Stefan Thordarson’s permanent move to Hannover, opens funds up and must boost Preston’s chances of recruiting themselves - Heckingbottom has made clear his intentions to boost PNE’s attack this month. As always, their task will be to bring better through the door.

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