Preston North End

Centre back Patrick Bauer became Preston North End's first signing of the 2019 summer transfer window when he signed a three-year deal for the club.

The German defender turned down a new deal at Charlton Athletic to join the Lilywhites, with the former German youth international scoring the winning goal in injury time in the League One Play-Off final for the Addicks in May 2019. 

Bauer made 135 appearances for the club in his four years at The Valley, after he started his career in his native Germany with Stuttgart before spending three years in the Portuguese top flight with Maritimo. 

Pat featured in all but five Championship games during his first season at Deepdale, scoring three goals over the course of the campaign, including the winner against his former side Charlton.

Unfortunately 2020/21 did not go as well, with the centre half suffering an achilles injury just 15 games into the season and that was enough to keep him sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

He made a dream return in August 2021, scoring the match-winner at home to Peterborough United, and he finished the campaign with 37 appearances to his name in all competitions.