Wrexham have completed the signing of Preston North End captain Ben Whiteman on a three-year deal, with the option of a further year. The 30-year-old midfielder has made 200 Championship appearances and completed a medical with the Red Dragons on Tuesday.
Whiteman is the club's second capture of the summer transfer window following the arrival of full-back Danny Imray from Crystal Palace.
“It's an amazing feeling to be here, I'm thrilled to sign for Wrexham,” he said.
“I think any Championship player at this moment in time wants to join this football club.
“Wrexham is a club that wants to get to the Premier League and so do I. So once the interest was there, it was really hard to ignore.”
Whiteman had been a mainstay during his five-and-a-half year spell at North End, but has been slammed by boss Paul Heckingbottom, who said he forced a move away from the Deepdale club.
Heckingbottom feels the experienced midfielder crossed a line by telling club bosses that he had played his final game for Preston.
“Ben knew there was a line I didn't want him to cross and unfortunately he has,” Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“There's a valuation on him, I just hope for Ben's sake that Wrexham are willing to pay it otherwise he's put himself in a sticky situation.
“He's made his bed. I'm not bothered as long as I get another player.”
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Whiteman, a product of Manchester United's academy, played 43 times for Preston in the Championship last season as they finished 14th.
The Rochdale native joined Sheffield United as a teenager and made his senior debut in 2014 before spells on loan at Mansfield Town and Doncaster Rovers.
Whiteman later made his move to Doncaster permanent in 2018 and remained with Rovers, who named him captain, until 2021 when he joined Preston.
How did Wrexham complete the deal?
Wrexham completed the signing after Whiteman underwent a medical on Tuesday, adding the 30-year-old midfielder on a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year.
What does Whiteman bring to the squad?
Whiteman arrives with significant Championship experience, having made 200 appearances in the division and 43 last season for Preston as they finished 14th. He also captained Doncaster Rovers after making his move permanent in 2018.
What is his career background?
Whiteman came through the ranks at Sheffield United after joining as a teenager and made his senior debut in 2014. He then had loan spells at Mansfield Town and Doncaster Rovers before joining Doncaster permanently in 2018 and moving to Preston North End in January 2021.
Ben Whiteman came through the ranks at Sheffield United before joining Preston North End in January 2021
Key Facts
- Wrexham signed Preston North End captain Ben Whiteman on a three-year deal with an option for a further year.
- The 30-year-old midfielder has made 200 Championship appearances and completed a medical on Tuesday.
- He is Wrexham's second signing of the summer transfer window after Danny Imray from Crystal Palace.
- Whiteman played 43 Championship matches for Preston last season as they finished 14th.
- Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom said Whiteman crossed a line by telling club bosses he had played his final game for the club.
