Liam Delap is excited for a new challenge at Preston North End, having joined the club on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season.
The striker had been with Stoke City for the first half of the campaign, but he will now spend the remainder of the season at Deepdale, after being recalled by his parent club.
Liam, 19, has been a prolific goalscorer with City’s youth team previously and netted three goals during his time with the Potters, and he’s hoping to find his scoring boots again under manager Ryan Lowe.
“I’m buzzing,” he told iFollow PNE. “It’s such a great club and I’m really excited to meet the boys and play in front of the fans.
“I’ve spoken to the manager and I’m really happy with what he’s got to say and the style of football he plays, so I can’t wait to get playing under him.
“As a striker at the end of the day, the manager wants goals so that’s what he’s said to me.
“I trust myself in front of goal. I trust myself to get in the right positions so if I get the opportunity then hopefully I can bring that.”
The pacey forward arrives at Deepdale with experience of playing in the Premier League and Champions League with Pep Guardiola’s team.
Those opportunities were granted to him after an incredible 2020/21 campaign with City’s Elite Development Squad.
Liam netted 24 goals in 20 appearances in that particular season, and in return he was named the Premier League 2 Player of the Year.
Liam said: “The stats I had in the U21s were very good and I’ve had that first six months now in the Championship, getting used to that switch from Academy to men’s football.
“I feel like I’ve had enough experience in the Championship now and I’m ready to go.
“It’s a lot different. Everyone’s a man and that step from Academy football to men’s football is a lot higher than everyone thinks, so I think it’s been a challenge but I love the challenge and I’m ready to come here and face a new challenge.”
PNE’s new No.7 becomes the club’s second signing of the January transfer window, following the arrival of Tom Cannon from Everton – also on loan – on Tuesday.
The duo will be available to play when Norwich City come to Deepdale on Saturday afternoon, with both sides going into the game within touching distance of the top six.
Liam added: “As a group of lads and players you want to do the best you can and the manager’s obviously got the Play-Offs as a target, so I’m going to try and do my best to help him get that push.
“You always as a player look at the next game and the next opportunity, so we’ll see over the next few days what will happen and I’ll be looking forward to Saturday.”