Why staying with Preston North End was the right choice for keeper Declan Rudd

Rudd put pen to paper on a three-year deal yesterday, ending speculation over his Deepdale future.

His previous contract was due to run out at the end of June, leaving him free to move elsewhere on a Bosman.

After some soul-searching during the current lockdown, Rudd felt the right decision was to continue his ties with the Lilywhites.

Rudd is in lockdown in Norfolk, having moved the family home back there.

Once football gets back under way, the 29-year-old will divide his time between there and Lancashire.

With regards to signing the new deal, Rudd told the Lancashire Post: “It was something we had been talking about since the start of the season really.

“It was something the club wanted to do and I wanted to get done too.

“There were a few personal matters with the family which needed seeing to.

“We wanted to speak about it as a family and make sure everything was right.

“These last few weeks we have obviously spent a lot of time together as a family so have been able to talk about the contract offer.

“In a football career you can be here, there and everywhere.

“We have bought a house in Norfolk so my wife can be down here near her parents.

“I will be up in Preston for training and matches and then be able to go back to Norfolk when we have time off.

“The house purchase went through a couple of days before lockdown so I’ve been able to spend my time trying to be a handy man.”

Rudd says something which had a bearing on the new deal was how well PNE was run, with the club able to function as a business during the current health crisis.

Said Rudd: “It is a well-run ship, everything is done properly. The budget is nice and tight, well managed.

“You see some clubs who throw money around and then two years later get points taken off or can’t pay staff.

“The owner and staff here run it very well, even at a time like this it is able to run quite normally.

“Being at Preston feels right.

“I’ve been back nearly three years. I first came on loan at the end of January 2013 and the time really has flown.

“It doesn’t seem long ago since I made my debut in that night game at Yeovil.

“This is a really good club with a great set of lads, that is a big thing for any player.

“The spirit in the changing room is top class.

“Hopefully that can push us on to be successful when we get going again.”