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Into his fifth season at Deepdale, Youl Mawene continues to impress as one of the most consistent performers for Alan Irvine's Preston North End.

Youl missed the vast majority of the 2006/07 season after snapping his cruciate and medial ligaments in a pre-season friendly against Manchester United.

However, he returned to fitness and last season he was a vital figure as North End battled away from relegation, featuring 40 times and scoring 3 goals.

Youl moved to North End following a last gasp bid to snatch him from the clutches of Championship rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers for whom he had played three trial games during the summer of 2004.

He arrived at Deepdale on a Bosman free transfer after his contract at Derby County came to an end. The Frenchman was a popular player for the Rams and was voted as the club's player of the year in the 2003/04 campaign.

The defender followed it up with the Preston Player of the Year award the following season, after an outstanding season where he was an ever present and formed a tremendous partnership with Chris Lucketti.

The following season may have seen him partnered by someone else but the outcome was the same - outstanding as he and Claude Davis at the back proved a rock difficult to move.

Before moving to England, Mawene was an important part of the Lens side which was defeated by Arsenal in the semi-finals of the 1999/2000 UEFA Cup.

Youl has made over 150 appearances for the Lilywhites and as PNE push on under Alan Irvine he has become a popular fans favourite with his astute positional sense and his commanding presence in the air.