Preston North End today confirmed the signing of Josh Harrop on a free transfer from Manchester United, after the youngster who scored on his Old Trafford debut at the end of last season was allowed to leave the club once his contract expired.
He was unknown outside of Man Utd's academy until he scored that impressive goal, although Man Utd fans that were unfamiliar with him would have been surprised to learn that he is older than Anthony Martial.
Clearly the club feel that despite an impressive showing against Crystal Palace, he ultimately doesn't have a future at the club, which is great news for Preston North End.
He scored on his Premier League debut for Man Utd in May.
But Josh Harrop has joined Preston on a permanent deal.https://t.co/Q3RfCjZmHD pic.twitter.com/bFixJubnuK— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 23, 2017
New recruit Josh Harrop can't wait to get started at #pnefc and is looking forward to a new challenge. https://t.co/Be2szoBvWg pic.twitter.com/KletePAzpq
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) June 23, 2017
As strange as it is to see the club confirm a transfer that isn't an Irishman these days, they have brought in a clearly talented attacking midfielder who has revealed in his interview today that he left Man Utd because he wants to play.
From an Irish point of view, that's not exactly great news.
Daryl Horgan is someone who were are hoping can lock down one of those attacking positions, and Harrop's arrival could make things more difficult for the former Dundalk man as he looked impressive playing there against Crystal Palace, but it makes things very difficult for Aiden McGeady.
While a divisive figure in an Ireland jersey, McGeady was sensational for Preston last season and scooped the club's player of the year award. Most thought that it was a given that they would make the deal permanent, but the Ireland winger once again faces doubt over his future.
McGeady still has a year left on his deal at Everton, where it is absolutely clear he does not feature in the plans going forward. Again, it was assumed McGeady would be snapped up, but there are a number of factors that make such a move difficult.
Everton are still likely to want a few million for Aiden McGeady, especially seeing how good he was for Preston, and his wages would have likely been subsidised during his time on loan. There is still a possibility that the club brings him in permanently, but as he was deployed mostly in the #10 role, where he looked to play his best football for years, the signing of Harrop who will likely play that position doesn't look good for him.
It would be an awful shame if after having his best season in a long time, he would have to move on yet again. So hopefully that is not the case.
