Will Keane is “really excited” to be back at Preston North End, eight years on from his loan spell at Deepdale.
The striker rejoined the club on a two-year deal on Friday evening, making the move from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee.
Having spent half a season with North End back in the 2015/16 campaign – PNE’s first back in the Championship – Will is looking forward to being back in familiar surroundings.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “It’s great for me to have that challenge again and be in the Championship next season.
“It’s been an enjoyable two years at Wigan but it felt like the right time to move forward and I think this is the perfect place for me to kick on.
“I’m really excited to be back here and I can’t wait to get going. I’m just looking forward to being a part of it and bring what I can to the table.
“I can hopefully help the squad keep moving in the right direction. I’m just really pleased and can’t wait to get back out there at Deepdale.”
Having scored 39 goals for Wigan Athletic during the past two seasons, Will arrives after arguably the best goalscoring spell of his career.
That’s something he’s looking to continue with PNE in the Championship – a division he was keen to return to, following the Latics’ relegation last term.
Will said: “It was good to get back to the level last year and obviously off the back of that I want to kick on again now.
“I feel like the setup here is the perfect opportunity for me. It’s a massive club and I think since I was last here it’s become a really stable Championship club that’s looking upwards and hopefully I can come and contribute towards the effort and have a good season.
“I think I’ve got a few more years’ experience in me and I really enjoyed my time here last time.
“I would have liked to have had more goals but I think that’s something I’ve got back to doing the last couple of years.
“I’ve had a really good run of games and the form has come with that. My ambition is to come into the team and to contribute by scoring goals.
“That’s what I know ultimately I’m judged on and that’s what I’m looking to do.”
There was one moment in particular during his earlier stay at Deepdale which the Republic of Ireland international is well remembered for.
Will scored a superb solo goal at Turf Moor in a Lancashire derby against Burnley, picking the ball up on halfway before gliding forward to send a great strike through his brother Michael’s legs and into the back of the net.
“It's always one that I still bring up every now and again,” he laughed. “It’s a fond memory and a really sort of special occasion for the family. It was nice to come out on the right end of it.
“I’ve still got the picture somewhere of me putting it through my brother’s legs so we have a good laugh about it and hopefully there are many more special memories to come.”