As reported on The72 last week, Preston North End have signed Middlesbrough goalkeeper Connor Ripley on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.
Now, The Northern Echo is reporting that Middlesbrough have included two important clauses in the contract of the recently departed ‘keeper.
The Teessiders have included a buy back clause in Ripley’s contract, so they could bring him back to Boro at any time. Equally, Middlesbrough also have sell-on agreements in place, meaning if Ripley was to be sold from Preston to another club, Pulis’ side would earn a certain percentage of the transfer fee.
Boro boss Tony Pulis recently spoke highly of Ripley and confirmed that the clauses were in place.
“He’s got the potential to be a top keeper,” said Pulis. “What we’ve done is we’ve given him the chance.
“He’s 25, he’s not 19, he’s 25. He now needs to go and put roots down and prove he’s going to be a top keeper.
“We’re well covered” he said. “We’ve got a massive sell-on, and the first option to buy him back. It’s a great deal for the kid, not just the football club.
“That’s what people have to understand, if you’re a decent football club you look after your people as well and that’s what we’ve done.”
Ripley became Preston’s fourth signing of the January transfer window, joining Josh Ginnelly, Brad Potts and Jayden Stockley. The new ‘keeper will presumably be back-up to first choice Declan Rudd, with second-string goalkeeper Chris Maxwell departing for Charlton earlier in the window.
