Winger Anthony Gordon excited about his loan switch to Preston North End

The Everton winger had no qualms about signing for PNE until the end of the season but finding his way to Euxton to complete the formalities was quite an experience – and he is blaming his agent for that!

Gordon’s arrival was the last piece of business done by North End in a busy winter transfer window.

The deal only got registered a few minutes before the deadline as the move hinged on Everton signing Josh King from Bournemouth.

The teenager had to wait anxiously at Euxton – once he got there – for the Toffees to complete King’s signing.

“We got lost on the way here,” said Gordon who hopes to make his PNE debut against Rotherham on Saturday.

“My agent made the mistake so I’ll put that one on him, he got the SatNav wrong!

“It was a bit of a rush and we were panicking a bit. We rang Peter Ridsdale and he guided us here.

“That drama was all part of it and something I will remember about the night.

“It was my first loan move and I got lost on the way!”

All’s well that ends well, Gordon signed on the dotted line and the deal went ahead when Everton got King over the line.

The 19-year-old sees his move to North End as a big step in his career.

While Gordon has played in the Premier League with Everton, including a start in the Merseyside derby, it is a more regular run of matches he is looking for.

With competition stern in the Toffees’ frontline, game time was set to be limited and PNE’s keen interest in him was a big attraction.

Gordon said: “This is a massive step but I thought it was the right time to come out of my comfort zone and test myself.

“I know I can handle it and I think by coming here I will improve as a player.

“When I spoke to Alex Neil he was to the point and very honest. He gave his opinion on what he thought of me as a player, he told me he had been keeping track on my progress.

“I spoke to Carlo Ancelotti at Everton about it, he agreed this was the right thing for me.

“With the Everton team being so strong, it would be tough for me to get the minutes I would like.”

Gordon played against PNE in a pre-season friendly at Goodison Park in September.

He had a different role than normal in the game which the Toffees won 2-0.

Gordon said: “I started the game and I played as the No.8 in midfield. That was a bit of a first for me playing there.

“I’m a winger normally, I prefer to play on the left wing as I’m right-footed and can cut in and have a shot.”

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