Ben Woodburn says he’s “really excited to get going” after agreeing a deal to become a Preston North End player.
The 22-year-old, formerly of Liverpool, has signed a one-year deal at Deepdale, with the club having the option of an extra year.
Ben has been on trial with the club since the opening day of pre-season and has since impressed, including in Saturday’s friendly against Bamber Bridge, in which he was on the scoresheet.
Speaking to iFollow after signing, Ben said: “I’m very excited for the deal to be done. Obviously I’ve been on trial for a week now and things have gone pretty well, so I’m buzzing to get started as a Preston player.
“Obviously when I got called and told I could come and train I was buzzing. I wanted to show the gaffer what I could do, luckily I’ve earned a contract out of it.
“He’s tried to get me at his older clubs a few times and unfortunately things haven’t worked out there, but now we can work together and I’m a fan of how he plays football, so I’m really excited to get going.”
After breaking on to the scene as a 17-year-old at Liverpool – being handed his professional debut by Jurgen Klopp – Ben has spent time out on loan with the likes of Sheffield United and Oxford United.
Having seen his contract expire at Anfield in the summer just gone though, he now has a permanent home at Preston North End.
On his career so far, Ben said: “Lots of ups and downs. A few loans but now I’m excited to really get settled in Preston, work as a team and try and work our way up the league.
“I want to feel part of a team and want to feel part of a vision really, and I feel like the vision here is great and it’s one that I want to achieve too.
“I feel like there’s a great group of players, great staff, a great manager and I’m just excited to see what we can do.”
Manager Ryan Lowe sees Woodburn as a player who can play a multitude of positions, operating as either a number eight in midfield, as a ten, in behind the strikers or potentially even as a right wing back.
Asked what the PNE fans can expect from him, Ben responded: “I’d say 100% effort. I like to be forward thinking, I don’t shy away from a tackle, so hopefully a lot of goals and a lot of assists and a lot of fun football.”
You can watch Ben's full interview on iFollow above.