Ched Evans set for Sheffield United reunion after striker takes up new role at Preston North End

Former Sheffield United striker Ched Evans is embarking on the next stage of his career after signing a player/coach deal with United’s Championship rivals Preston North End. The striker, now 35, was facing the end of his contract at Deepdale this weekend but will now remain, combining his on-field duties with a coaching role.

Evans signed for United from Manchester City back in 2009 and scored 42 goals in 112 appearances for the Blades, across two spells. He joined Preston, who host United on the opening day of the Championship season six weeks today, in 2021 from Fleetwood and will start his new role next week when Ryan Lowe’s players report back for the start of pre-season.

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“I really appreciate the contract that’s been offered. I’m really happy with it,” the former Welsh international said. “I’m super excited to get going again this season. Player-coach is a unique situation, but I believe there’s still a lot of playing in me, but in the meantime I can get experience on the coaching side. Preston’s a place I’ve come to love and I know everyone here. For me, having the opportunity to stay here was massive.”

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Evans, who has scored 16 goals for Preston in 92 games, has completed both his UEFA A and B coaching badges and will work alongside Lowe in the upcoming season. “I’m really pleased Ched’s accepted the chance to join the great coaching staff we’ve got already,” Lowe said. “He’ll work closely with Peter Murphy to help develop the youngsters but also help out with the seniors and the strikers, because he’s been there, seen it and done it.

“He’s got valuable experience and we still feel he’s got a lot to offer on the pitch, but off it as well. We let him take a select XI in an in-house training match during an international break last season, just to let him experience it, and you could see what he has to offer. We think he’ll be a valuable coach for us.”