Preston North End striker Ched Evans has agreed to sign a player-coach deal with the club, says director Peter Ridsdale.
The Lilywhites made an offer to the 35-year-old, following the end to the season. His deal was set to expire this summer, having made 17 appearances last campaign. In total, the centre-forward has played 92 games for PNE and scored 16 goals. Last summer, his career and health was put in serious jeopardy – due to a medical condition relating to his neck and spine.
Although Evans’ return to the football field was not anticipated, his operation went well, and he made his debut in October. The striker had a limited amount of playing time, failed to score, and experienced a few ailments last season. Evans is expected to gradually become a member of the coaching staff, though, so it appears that he will remain at the club.
“He has agreed verbally, but he hasn’t signed it,” Ridsdale said to BBC Lancashire. We’ve been speaking with Ched for a few months about his duties as a first-choice, natural member of the playing team, so that wasn’t the first time we’d had the topic. He has completed his badges and has always desired to work as a coach.
“We have informed him that, moving forward, we view him as an integral element of our coaching team. A link between the coaching staff and the dressing room is something we always like to have. When I saw him yesterday, he orally accepted the conditions. All I have to do is write that down, and he must sign it. However, nothing that I could anticipate would prevent him from signing it.”
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