Why midfielder Alan Browne was happy to play waiting game over new Preston North End deal

The Lilywhites skipper ended months of uncertainty over his Deepdale future by signing a three-and-a-half year deal last night.

Together with Ben Davies, Ben Pearson and Daniel Johnson, Browne has been negotiating fresh terms with PNE for some time – all due out of contract in June.

There is no sign yet of the other three following Browne’s lead but to get the 25-year-old midfielder over the line is a big boost.

The Irishman told PNE’s website: “It was important to my decision that I saw the ambition of the club.

“With players coming in this window – especially with a lot of clubs not doing a lot of business – it is a step in the right direction and I wanted to be a part of that.

“It is time to take the next step with my career. I had different opinions from different people and I wanted to gather as many opinions as I possibly could.

“I felt that this was the right decision for me and hopefully I can progress with my own career, as well as with the football club.”

Having got a new midfield colleague in Jayson Molumby last week, Browne was due to shake hands with another addition to the engine room at training this morning.

Ben Whiteman’s signing from Doncaster Rovers will be formally ratified today.

Most aspects of the deal were actually completed earlier in the week.

Whiteman underwent and passed a medical on Tuesday night having agreed personal terms with PNE.

The fee is undisclosed as per EFL rules but seems to be around the £1.5m mark plus add-ons.

It is wandering close to PNE record fee territory, a title David Healy still officially holds from back in 2001.

The arrivals of Whiteman and Molumby, together with Browne staying, gives the midfield a fresh look.

North End wanted to cover their bases in terms of potentially losing Pearson and Johnson – were bids to come in for them later in the window and they had not done any business, it would have left them short.

With midfield now sorted, the focus for the rest of the window is likely to train on the defence.

They need a replacement for Patrick Bauer who is out for the season after surgery on a damaged Achilles tendon.

There is the chance of losing Davies too which has to be taken into consideration.

North End might also look at the right-back slot, with Darnell Fisher yet to be offered a new deal – he is another player out of contract in the summer.

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