Lee Nicholls departs Huddersfield Town for Preston North End

The goalkeeper departs in a permanent move after five years at the club

Lee Nicholls has completed a permanent transfer to Championship side Preston North End.

The Huddersfield Town goalkeeper has been at the club since arriving from MK Dons in 2021, making 178 appearances and keeping 49 clean sheets.

Nicholls was named Championship goalkeeper of the season and Terriers player of the year in 2021/22 after a near-flawless campaign in which he helped Town finish third and reach the play-off final.

The 33-year-old’s place in the side came under threat from loanee Owen Goodman last season, but he nonetheless signed a new contract and successfully fought to earn his starting berth again.

Town announced on Monday that Sunderland goalkeeper Matty Young had been signed on a season-long loan.

Nicholls is now expected to play a back-up role with Preston.

Huddersfield head coach Martin Drury said: “Lee has been at the club for a long period of time and has been part of really successful teams here.

“It’s been a real pleasure for me to have worked with him, and I’ve the utmost respect for him and what he’s achieved so far in his career. Whilst he will be missed, I’m pleased that this move is one that Lee and ourselves feel is the right one, at the right time.

“On behalf of myself and the staff, we wish him well within his new chapter.”

Sporting director Chris Markham commented: “First and foremost, Lee has been an incredible servant for the club and moves on to his next challenge knowing that he will always be welcome here at Huddersfield Town.

“A move that speaks to Lee’s priorities both personally and professionally, the deal also reinforces our ability to adapt the men’s first team ahead of the 2026/27 season.

“An excellent professional and even better person, we’re thankful to Lee for his commitment to the club in his time here with us and wish he and his young family the very best for their new chapter.”

We Are Terriers reaction

It’s worth remembering that when Nicholls signed for Town, he’d been sitting on the bench with lower-tier MK Dons for much of the previous season. As such, he was expected to provide competition for youngster Ryan Schofield, rather than walk straight into the first team.

But it soon became apparent in his first season in a Town shirt that Nicholls was head and shoulders above not just his colleague, but any other goalkeeper in the division.