Sheffield United reunion at Preston North as AFC Bournemouth attacker completes loan move
Daniel Jebbison has been reunited with his former Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom at Preston North End.
The 21-year-old made his senior breakthrough at Bramall Lane and became the youngest player to score on their first Premier League start in 2021.
He was later part of the Blades squad promoted from the Championship under Heckingbottom in 2023, but a blood clot denied him the chance to feature regularly in the following campaign.
After Sheffield United’s relegation back to the second tier, Jebbison departed for pastures new with AFC Bournemouth.
An unsuccessful loan spell at Watford followed, but Jebbison was used regularly from the bench by the Cherries after his Hornets stint was brought to a premature end.
Daniel Jebbison reunited with Paul Heckingbottom
He has now been loaned out again, this time to Heckingbottom’s Preston.
Heckingbottom said: “I’m looking forward to working with Jebbo again. I’ve watched him play since he was a teenager and he was great to coach at Sheffield United.
“He‘s someone I always pushed to keep improving during our time together. I’ve always believed in his ability and his potential.
“I know how good he can be and we’re looking to get the best out of him while he’s here working with us.”
Transfer business at Deepdale
Jebbison has become Preston’s fifth signing of the summer, with the Lilywhites clearly keen to avoid another underwhelming campaign.
Among those to have joined Heckingbottom’s squad are former Rotherham United goalkeeper Daniel Iversen and ex-Sheffield Wednesday defender Pol Valentin.
After putting pen to paper, Valentin said: “I’m feeling so happy to be here. Since they called me, they made me feel like ‘you’re going to feel at home, you’re going to feel like you’re in a family’.
“I’m very proud. I’ve spoken with different people that played here, for example Bambo [Diaby], and people who know the manager or how the club is. They told me about the club and said they’re the best club for me. I didn’t have any doubt to come.”