In a somewhat surprising move, Everton have sent out young midfielder Harrison Armstrong out on loan to Preston North End. With the squad especially thin at the midfield position Armstrong was expected to stay on with the first team this term. However, this move does give him an opportunity to play regular football and continue to improve.
The 18-year-old has looked incredibly calm and composed on the ball in the limited time he has been given an opportunity to show his game. In the Carabao Cup Second
Round win over Mansfield Town, the midfielder picked up a brace of assists and Everton received enquiries from a number of Championship teams for the player.
The impending arrival of German Under-21 international Merlin Rohl means the midfielder can go out and get some playing time in the Championship where he will likely start every game for Preston. David Moyes will have a soft spot for the Deepdale-based side where he cut his teeth before moving to the Blues.
Armstrong spent the second half of the 2024-25 season out on loan at Derby County where he greatly impressed. At Preston, he will play for Paul Heckingbottom with the side sitting in 9th place in the Championship. Heckingbottom had taken over as interim boss at Sheffield United when the team had gotten relegated recently, and led them back to the Premier League. He’s widely known as a “player’s manager” and also recognized for his tactical acumen which bodes well for Armstrong.
