Republic of Ireland international centre half Andy Boyle is looking forward to the next test in his career, at Deepdale.
The 25-year-old defender spoke to PNE PlayerHD after putting pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year deal, that will come into effect on 1st January, once he received international clearance.
Having played in the Champions League and Europa League this year with the Lilywhites of Dundalk, he is now looking forward to testing himself in the Sky Bet EFL Championship with the Lilywhites of Preston North End.
“I can’t wait to get started,” he told the club’s online TV channel. “Once I heard Preston were interested in me and I got over and had a look around it was the only place I wanted to come to. I knew of the history of the club and I am now really looking forward to getting going.
“We have had a great run with Dundalk in Europe and won the league and then I got the international call up, so it has been a great year and this has capped it off.
“We played against some top sides during the European campaign, the likes of Zenit St Petersburg and Legia Warsaw in the Champions League and it is good to play at that level and test yourself against the best players in Europe and hopefully that will stand me in good stead.”
After a successful spell with the Oriel Park club, where he hasn’t missed a game in three championship winning campaigns, Boyle admits he is ready for a new challenge and hopes that with some familiar faces he can settle in quickly.
“We won the league three years in a row at Dundalk and there wasn’t much more to achieve in the League of Ireland, so coming here was a big test and once Preston North End – a big Championship club – came in for me, there was only one place I wanted to be,” he continued.
“I know a few of the lads; I played under age with Greg [Cunningham] and I met Aiden with the Ireland squad in November, so it is great to have lads around that you know and hopefully it will help me settle in quickly.”
So what can the PNE fans expect from the Dublin-born defender when he arrives in just over a fortnight?
“I am a centre half that likes to play out from the back and I think my strengths are my reading of the game and that I am composed on the ball. I like to be an out and out defender and hopefully over the coming months I can show what I can bring to the team.
“Mentally as well as physically I will welcome this short break before I get started.
“I have been back in since the 9th January and played over 50 games this year, but to be honest, I can’t wait to get back in and get started with my new team-mates and hopefully we have some big matches to look forward to and further along,” he added.
You can watch more from Andy and also from fellow new recruit Daryl Horgan by logging onto PNE PlayerHD now – click here to watch the interviews with the Irish pair, who will be available from the new year, subject to international clearance.
Having played in the Champions League and Europa League this year with the Lilywhites of Dundalk, he is now looking forward to testing himself in the Sky Bet EFL Championship with the Lilywhites of Preston North End.
“I can’t wait to get started,” he told the club’s online TV channel. “Once I heard Preston were interested in me and I got over and had a look around it was the only place I wanted to come to. I knew of the history of the club and I am now really looking forward to getting going.
“We have had a great run with Dundalk in Europe and won the league and then I got the international call up, so it has been a great year and this has capped it off.
“We played against some top sides during the European campaign, the likes of Zenit St Petersburg and Legia Warsaw in the Champions League and it is good to play at that level and test yourself against the best players in Europe and hopefully that will stand me in good stead.”
After a successful spell with the Oriel Park club, where he hasn’t missed a game in three championship winning campaigns, Boyle admits he is ready for a new challenge and hopes that with some familiar faces he can settle in quickly.
“We won the league three years in a row at Dundalk and there wasn’t much more to achieve in the League of Ireland, so coming here was a big test and once Preston North End – a big Championship club – came in for me, there was only one place I wanted to be,” he continued.
“I know a few of the lads; I played under age with Greg [Cunningham] and I met Aiden with the Ireland squad in November, so it is great to have lads around that you know and hopefully it will help me settle in quickly.”
So what can the PNE fans expect from the Dublin-born defender when he arrives in just over a fortnight?
“I am a centre half that likes to play out from the back and I think my strengths are my reading of the game and that I am composed on the ball. I like to be an out and out defender and hopefully over the coming months I can show what I can bring to the team.
“Mentally as well as physically I will welcome this short break before I get started.
“I have been back in since the 9th January and played over 50 games this year, but to be honest, I can’t wait to get back in and get started with my new team-mates and hopefully we have some big matches to look forward to and further along,” he added.
You can watch more from Andy and also from fellow new recruit Daryl Horgan by logging onto PNE PlayerHD now – click here to watch the interviews with the Irish pair, who will be available from the new year, subject to international clearance.