What Paul Heckingbottom has said about Daniel Jebbison as Preston North End seal Bournemouth deal | OneFootball

Heckingbottom has been speaking about North End's newest recruit, Daniel Jebbison.

Preston North End have completed the loan signing of AFC Bournemouth striker, Daniel Jebbison.

The 21-year-old will officially join North End on 7 July, and has inked a deal that will see him stay at Deepdale for the duration of the 2025/26 season.

A former England youth international, Jebbison now represents Canada on the international stage, and has been with the Cherries since signing on a free transfer last summer, following the expiration of his contract at Sheffield United.

Jebbison becomes Preston's fifth new recruit of the summer transfer window already, with Jordan Thompson, Daniel Iversen, Pol Valentin and Thierry Small all making moves to Deepdale.

What Paul Heckingbottom has said about latest Preston signing, Daniel Jebbison

Speaking via the club's website after Jebbison's move to North End was confirmed, Lilywhites boss Paul Heckingbottom has delivered his verdict on the club's newest recruit.

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."

As he makes reference to, Heckingbottom has worked with Jebbison before, having been in charge at Sheffield United from 2021-2023.

Daniel Jebbison has his doubters to silence with Preston North End move

Despite still only being 21, Jebbison has been playing senior football since the 2020/21 season, when he made his debut appearances for Sheffield United in the Premier League that year.

That's a clear indication of the talent and potential that he's regarded to have, but he's been having a hard time unlocking it over the last few years.

Indeed, his nine goals whilst out on a short-term loan with Burton Albion in 2021/22 remain his best scoring spell in his career so far, with his Bournemouth career not having taken off as of yet.

He's scored three times in 21 total appearances for the Cherries since his move last summer, whilst his loan move during the first half of the 2024/25 season to Watford didn't work out either.

Jebbison failed to hit the back of the net in 13 Championship appearances as a Hornet, and as such, his lack of production in front of goal in recent times has seen him garner his fair share of doubters.

However, bagging himself a season-long loan deal with Preston provides him with the perfect opportunity to silence them, as he looks set to have a huge chance of carving out a big role in North End's squad next term.

The fact that Heckingbottom knows him and has entrusted him to play over 30 times for him during their respective stints at Sheffield United, suggests he's going to have a manager who really believes in him and his ability next season.

the Lilywhites.