Welsh international goalkeeper Michael Crowe has penned a two-year contract with Preston North End, which will commence from the start of July. The 22-year-old left Ipswich Town following the expiration of his contract at the end of last season.
Preston boss Alex Neil has been keen to add another goalie to his ranks at Deepdale. Whilst there is Declan Rudd, and another Welsh international in the form of Chris Maxwell, available to him, Mathew Hudson is primed to depart on loan for the season, having just signed a new contract with the club too. Crowe had come through the ranks at Ipswich.
Sports Journalist Pete O’Rourke reported yesterday that Preston were indeed set to sign Crowe. Also, he stated that the Sky Bet Championship club had beaten newly promoted Premier League side Cardiff City to the deal too. Perhaps Crowe realistically has a better chance of playing in the Preston side at present, even though he would remain third-choice going into the new campaign.
Crowe expressed his happiness at making the move to the Lancashire club,
“I am super excited to be here. Things have happened quickly. I was a bit nervous at the start of the summer that it might take a bit of time to get things finalised, but the club have come in and been good and everything has gone smoothly, so I am looking forward to getting going.
“The Championship is one of the hardest leagues in the world. There are a lot of games, a lot of tough games where it is so evenly matched, but hopefully we can push on this season, really step up and hopefully at least get into the play-offs.
“I am looking forward to getting into the dressing room. I have been at Ipswich for a long time, so I am ready for the new challenge and meeting new people. All the staff have been very welcoming and I can’t wait to get started in pre-season.”
Crowe failed to make a signal appearance in the first-team at Ipswich. He did have loan spells away at Woking, Stevenage and Braintree Town.
