Loan move beckons for Dan as Euro 2020 stars return
SCHMEICHEL AND WARD BACK IN TRAINING – AND No3 LINKED WITH RETURN TO PRESTON
LEICESTER City goalkeeper Daniel Iversen looks set to rejoin Preston North End on loan, writes Luke Pawley.
Preston have had a verbal agreement in place with Leicester since June, according to our sister news website, LancsLive, and the move now looks set to go ahead.
City manager Brendan Rodgers was keen to keep Iversen around the first team until Kasper Schmeichel and Danny Ward returned to training after Euro 2020.
Both goalkeepers are now back at Seagrave having reported for training at the start of this week.
Their return has now opened the door for Iversen, who will likely be given the green light to return to Deepdale.
Last month, Preston head coach Frankie McAvoy provided an update on Iversen’s situation.
“We’re in a good position with Daniel, and we hope to bring him back, but there’s work still to be done,” he said.
“It obviously depends on how the Leicester boys go in terms of goalkeeping, but I’m hopeful we can get something done with that one.”
Speaking last season, Iversen said that he enjoyed his time at Preston and that another loan move would be on the cards for 2021-22.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here, there are good people around the club,” he said.
“The staff and the players are really good guys and it’s gone really, really well.
“I will try to go on loan again next season. It’s been a step up in my career, now playing in the Championship and I have enjoyed taking a step up every year.”
Meanwhile, Leicester City striker George Hirst has joined League One side Portsmouth on a season-long loan.
The Mercury reported yesterday that Hirst was training with Pompey ahead of a potential move.
That move has now been completed, and the 22-year-old will spend the 2021-22 campaign with the League One club.
Hirst joined City in 2019 from Belgian sister club OH Leuven and spent last season on loan at Rotherham United.
He failed to score in 31 appearances for the Millers in the Championship and the former Sheffield Wednesday front man will be looking to kick on after netting only three goals in 59 senior career appearances to date.
Speaking about the signing of Hirst, Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley
said: “George is still a really young boy, but it feels as though he’s been around forever.
“He played for Leicester’s feeder club in Belgium before signing for them and we’ve followed his career closely.
“He didn’t have it all his own way at Rotherham last season. He didn’t play as much as he would have liked and it probably wasn’t the right fit for either party.
“Sometimes that happens in football, but we like to sign players who have got a point to prove and we see a real hunger and desire to succeed in George.
“When you don’t have everything your own way, it can really motivate you. We certainly believe in his abilities.”
Portsmouth could be a more suitable fit for Hirst, with Cowley emphasising that he fits their style of play really well and will play a key part during the season ahead.
“He fits our game idea, loves to run and has a real athleticism and intensity to his play, while he can bring others into his play and is a real team player,” Cowley said.
“We want to showcase an aggressive, high intensity style and need our number nine to have those qualities.
“He’s got a lovely right foot and is a good finisher. We believe we can create the chances that George needs to score goals regularly.
“There’s real potential there and we’ve got a lot of confidence in him both as a player and as a person.”