With the summer transfer window now closed, we take a look back at the ten signings made by manager Simon Grayson.
Simon Makienok
Date of Birth: 21st November 1990
Joined: 1st July 2016 Position: Striker
Preston North End successfully negotiated a season-long loan deal to bring Simon Makienok to the club in June.
The 25-year-old spent last season in the Championship with Charlton and managed to score five league goals for the Addicks.
His goal scoring record was very impressive in native Denmark where he scored 35 goals in 74 appearances for Brondby.
The Dane also adds international pedigree to Simon Grayson’s squad with six appearances for his country.
On the pitch Makienok is an imposing presence at a massive 6ft 7in the forward adds a different element to the North End squad. He has already adapted to the league and will be hoping he can make an impact at Deepdale.
Simon Grayson was pleased to have Makienok at his disposal: “I am delighted to add Simon Makienok to our striking options at the Club. His height, plus of course his international experience, brings us a different dimension to the squad and provides us further options at the top end of the pitch."
Chris Maxwell
Date of Birth: 30th July 1990
Joined: 1st July 2016 Position: Goalkeeper
The deal was agreed ahead of the start of the transfer window with the former Fleetwood keeper agreeing a three-year deal.
Career: The 25-year-old played for five clubs before joining the Lilywhites collecting the FA Trophy with Wrexham in the 2012-13 season and winning the League Two Play-Off Finals with Fleetwood in the process.
He was a popular figure at Fleetwood as he picked up the Players’ Player of the Season, the Supporters’ Player of the Season and the Community Player of the season for 2014/15 after a string of consistent performances.
He was called up to the Welsh national team not long after signing but is yet to make a senior appearance for his country to date.
The shot-stopper has provided stiff competition for Anders Lindegaard as both compete for the number one shirt.
On arrival Maxwell was excited about joining the club stating: “It's a fantastic club, it's the biggest club in Lancashire and I've heard nothing but positive things about it and it's a really exciting time for me.
"I've had plenty of advice from people who have spent many, many years here and there's nothing but positive feedback.
"There’s a fantastic fan base, and a fantastic stadium which I have been lucky enough to play in a few times, and also a very experienced manager too so it's really positive from my point of view and I can't wait to get started.”
Tommy Spurr
Date of Birth: 30th September 1987
Joined: 1st July 2016 Position: Defender
Tommy Spurr was one of our earlier signings this summer. The 28-year-old joined the club despite being offered a new contract by former club Blackburn Rovers and came to Deepdale with a wealth of experience at this level.
The defender has played nine of his eleven seasons as a professional in the Championship so he adds depth to Simon Grayson’s squad.
Spurr has played for Sheffield Wednesday, Doncaster and Blackburn Rovers and loves a tackle but his work rate is what is most impressive as he tries to support attacks when he can.
The defender has made three appearances so far this season and will be hoping to keep his place in the side.
After agreeing his three-year deal Spurr explained how Simon Grayson influenced his move: “As soon as Preston showed their interest, with the way they played last year and the information I got from the gaffer about the type of group there is here, it really appealed to me.
“I am delighted to have signed and now I am looking forward to getting started later this week. I can't wait to get going, to get training and to meet everyone and start playing games.”
Eoin Doyle
12th March 1988 Date of Birth:
Joined: 1st July 2016 Position: Striker
After spending much of the 2015/16 campaign on-loan at Deepdale, Eoin Doyle made his move to Preston North End permanent in the summer, signing a three-year deal to see him through to the summer of 2019.
The striker has played in three countries so far in his career, breaking through in Ireland with Shamrock Rovers before a stint in Scotland with Hibernian.
Doyle enjoyed his best form when he was at Chesterfield where he scored 32 goals in 69 appearances for the Spireites.
The striker is very good at holding up the play and helps to bring others into play.
The 28-year-old has a deadly streak in front of goal finishing doing whatever it takes to score.
He has found regular game time under Grayson already and has been integral to the club’s EFL cup run so far.
He scored a 94th minute winner in the first-round win over Hartlepool and in the second-round score one and assisted the other in a 2-0 win over Oldham.
After signing the striker was glad to be back in PR1: “I'm very grateful that the staff wanted me back and willing to get the signing done so I'm delighted to be back, I really am very happy.”
“I didn't feel like a loan player last year, but it's always in the back of your mind. That's not that case now which is brilliant and I've got a good few years now here at this club and hopefully they are very successful.”
Anders Lindegaard
Date of Birth: 13th April 1984
Joined: 2nd July 2016 Position: Goalkeeper
Danish international goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard signed a permanent contract at Deepdale after enjoying his loan spell in the second half of last season.
He signed on a one-year-deal and was delighted to be back in PR1: “It was a very easy decision, I could have gone to several other clubs in England, but it was a no brainer, I wanted to stay here. I'm really happy that things have fallen into place before we get closer to the season.”
The ‘keeper brings with him a wealth of experience having played international, European and premier league football.
He is a commanding figure in between the sticks and is one of the best all-round goal keepers in the league. He has managed to keep 2 clean sheets in six matches this season.
Grayson was happy to put a stop to turnover of loanee goalkeepers at the club with the capture of Lindeegard, saying: “It's great that Anders made it clear from the start that he wanted to come here and we have been able to secure him on a permanent basis.”
Callum Robinson
Date of birth: 2nd February 1995
Joined: 4th July 2016 Position: Forward
Callum Robinson became the club’s sixth signing of the summer when he joined PNE for the fourth time in his career.
The former Aston Villa man had previously enjoyed three loan spells at Deepdale but agreed a permanent deal in early July.
Robinson has been one of the bright sparks in the North End attack in the early part of the season and he scored in just his second game for the club.
He has mainly been used on the left wing this season and expected to run at the opposition.
The forwards pace adds a different dynamic to the Lilywhite front line and Grayson has sometimes opted to used him as an impact sub to scare tired defences.
Robinson was delighted to join the club permanently and wanted to get down to work: “I'm really happy to get the deal done, I've had a few loans here and I've really enjoyed my time with the lads and the coaching staff as I have said before.
"It was obviously a big decision for me leaving Aston Villa, I've been there since I was eight years old. So it was a big one for me but if there was ever a club for me to settle down with and sign permanently with it would be Preston North End.
"It's time to really give it a go and work hard on and off the pitch. I think I've still got a lot to work on to get stronger and bigger and work on my body a little bit more.”
Ben Pringle
Date of birth: 25th July 1989
Joined: 4th July 2016 Position: Midfielder
Ben Pringle put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Deepdale following a single season with Fulham.
After breaking through at Derby, Pringle went onto play for four more clubs before signing for North End most notably a four-year spell at Rotherham United where he made 150 appearances in four seasons.
During his time with the Millers he was named in the 2013/14 PFA League One team of the year as the club achieved promotion playing 55 matches in all competitions.
The seventh signing of the summer has also been a regular starter under Simon Grayson so far this season.
The midfielder brings versatility to the team and has been used in a number of positions including central midfield as well as out on the wing where his crossing ability has worried opposition defenders.
The Newcastle-born midfielder has regularly demonstrated his passing range, dead-ball ability and energetic style of play in his first few games for North End. .
Upon arrival the midfielder said: “I'm delighted, it's been a bit of a whirlwind since last week and I'm delighted with the deal and I'm looking forward to it.
“It's a massive club; a big club with lots of history and I'm just looking forward to getting started”
Marnick Vermijl
Date of Birth: 13th January 1992
Joined: 31st August 2016 Position: Defender
Having spent the entirety of last season on loan at Deepdale, Marnick Vermijl was the fourth player to sign permanently for the club following loan spells last season.
The right back position was an area that needed strengthening, especially after Callum Woods injury in preseason and the Belgian put pen to paper on a three-year-deal on deadline day.
Vermijl came through the ranks as a youth player at Manchester United before being sold to Sheffield Wednesday where he made eleven appearances in six months.
The 24-year-old full back joined the Lilywhites last year and demonstrated what he is capable of in his first few weeks with the Club by scoring the winner in the club’s 1-0 win over Watford in the League Cup.
The defender is looking forward to his future with the Club stating: “It took some time to get it sorted but in the end we got there.”
“I'm happy to sign three-years here, I had a great time last season so now that I know the club, I know how it works and I know everyone at the club, it will make it a lot easier.”
Alex Baptiste
Date of Birth: 31st January 1986
Joined: 31st August 2016 Position: Defender
PNE secured the signature of Alex Baptiste on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough as one of three deadline day transfers.
The defender has played for a number of clubs throughout his career but has really enjoyed life in Lancashire. He has played for Bolton, Blackburn and Blackpool in the past.
He is a commanding centre back but can provide cover at right-back if Simon Grayson requires. He is a ball playing defender who doesn’t hold back in the tackle.
Despite suffering a serious injury at the start of last season, he played regularly towards the end of the campaign and is hoping to get a long run of games under Simon Grayson.
Baptiste also knows a few members of the squad which will help him transition into the squad before the next lot of matches.
Our new No.27 said: “I will just give 100 per cent, I try my best. I play centre-half or right-back but wherever I play I will give my best and that’s all you can do really.
"I’m getting older now so I have a bit of experience and so I can try and help the team by passing on things I have learnt."
Aiden McGeady
Date of Birth: 4th April 1986
Joined: 31st August 2016 Position: Winger
The winger was an eleventh-hour signing and Preston North End’s tenth signing of the summer transfer window.
He missed Robbie Keane’s international swan-song to get the deal completed: “I didn’t want anything to get in the way of it.
“I wanted to get it all sorted as soon as and now it is done and I am really happy and I am just looking forward to when the international break finishes and getting down, meeting the lads and starting to get playing.”
The winger has a diverse career playing in Scotland, Russia and England over the years. He has won three league titles and three domestic trophies, bringing a winning edge to the club.
The forward adds genuine pace and skill to the club and can be used across the front line or even as a striker.
The forward has even had a trick named after him after his distinctive turn on the ball became known as the ‘McGeady spin.’
After a few quiet years, the Irish international has the chance to rediscover his best from and light up Deepdale with his performances.