Josh Onomah is looking to get back to his best at Preston North End, having joined the club on a deal until the end of the season.
The 25-year-old midfielder had spent the first half of the current campaign with Premier League side Fulham, but his minutes were limited.
Therefore, his contract at Craven Cottage was terminated by mutual agreement earlier on deadline day, and PNE moved fast to secure Josh's services ahead of a number of fellow Championship clubs.
He arrives with plenty of experience in the second tier, having been promoted twice, and he’s now looking to kick on with regular game-time at Deepdale.
Josh said: “I can’t wait to meet all the lads and get straight to it straight away.
“I can’t wait to start playing football again, to train with the lads, and this feels like a really homely environment, and I can’t wait to get started.
“I think at this stage of my career it’s very important [to play regularly] and I believe I can do that here with the players’ help and the gaffer.
“He’s spoken to me about it and he’s someone I trust, and I believe he can get me playing my best football.”
It’s not a dressing room completely unfamiliar to Josh, either, with the former England youth international having history with the likes of Freddie Woodman, Ryan Ledson and Troy Parrott.
He had been in contact with them ahead of agreeing to the move, while manager Ryan Lowe also had a big part to play in the midfielder choosing to spend the coming months in Lancashire.
Josh said: “I’m someone who enjoys football and I believe if a manager shares that same interest then that’s something that will definitely persuade me to come.
“He’s told me his philosophy and everything he does, and that’s made me want to come.
“I feel like, for me, it’s a good opportunity to show what I’m capable of doing, and showing the world what I can do on the pitch.
“I want to just get back to playing and enjoying football really, so that’s what I’m looking forward to most.”
Arriving with the experience of two promotions, there is plenty for Josh to offer both on the pitch and off it too.
His first experience of reaching the top flight was in the 2019/20 season – winning at Wembley in the Play-Off final – before achieving automatic promotion with the Cottagers again last season.
“The Championship is one of them leagues where any team can beat anyone and that’s the exciting bit of it,” he added.
“I believe it’s very important and I’m a competitive person, and I feel like it’s a good league for me and everyone involved in it.
“Obviously this season I haven’t played as many minutes as I want, but I’m looking forward to being involved on Saturday and meeting the fans at Deepdale.
“It’ll be nice to see them and hopefully they’ll welcome me.”
