Simon Grayson has put together his retained list following the conclusion of North End’s successful League One season.

The Club are delighted to announce that Tom Clarke and Player of the Year Paul Huntington have agreed new two year deals with the Lilywhites.



New contracts have also been offered to Scott Laird, Chris Humphrey, John Welsh, Thorsten Stuckmann and Steven James.



Australian international Bailey Wright has had the one year option on his contract activated along with the young duo of Jack Ryan and Nick Anderton; meanwhile central defender Josh Sampson has signed his first professional contract.



Negotiations are on-going with Kevin Davies about a role with the Club.



Keith Keane, Lee Holmes and David Buchanan have been released and have signed for Cambridge United, Exeter City and Northampton Town respectively.



Scott Wiseman and Jack King have also both been released and have joined Scunthorpe United.



Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has also been released.



Paul Gallagher, Jermaine Beckford and Sam Johnstone’s loan deals have now expired although Grayson is keen to retain the services of all three players.



The rest of the first team squad are still under contract.



The gaffer told PNE.Com: “We are obviously delighted to have Tom Clarke and Paul Huntington agree new deals.



“I have made it quite public that I would like to retain Sam Johnstone, Paul Gallagher and Jermaine Beckford so negotiations will be taking place with the relevant parties on all three.



“We are in discussions with Kevin Davies about a role at the football club in terms of playing and possibly a coaching capacity.



“It’s a busy time; a disappointing time for some, a good time for others, but it’s what happens at football clubs and you have to move on.



“It has been a great year for everybody connected with the Club, so these lads that didn’t play a part at the weekend have still played a massive part all season and that’s why on Tuesday it was a very difficult day for a lot of people concerned.



“They can leave this football club as Championship players and that is why none of them are going to be short of first team football anywhere.



“They have been a joy to work with and it was a very difficult decision but as a football club you have to move on, you have to make sure you keep improving, and those lads go with my best wishes and I am sure they will have a fantastic future in the game still and I look forward to seeing them again in the

future, so a big, big thanks to them.”



Everyone associated with Preston North End would like to thank the players who will not be returning for their efforts at the Club and we wish them all every success in their future endeavours.

