Portsmouth linked-attacker completes long-awaited Championship switch after summer transfer saga
Pompey were linked with a move for Oxford United winger Stan Mills earlier this summer
Pompey-linked winger Stanley Mills has completed his long-awaited switch to Preston North End.
National reports earlier this month suggested John Mousinho’s men had earmarked the young forward as a potential attacking option in the summer, with Stoke City also said to be keen.
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However, it is believed Mills was viewed as a potential option only if Pompey failed in their bid to re-sign prime target Abu Kamara.
The 23-year-old is expected to be Mousinho’s main man on the right wing after completing his emotional Fratton Park homecoming in a £2.5m deal from Hull City.
Preston sign Pompey-linked man after transfer saga
That would’ve been a similar figure required to land Mills, who has since joined Preston North End on a permanent basis, bringing a close to a late-window transfer saga.
The Lilywhites first agreed a £2m deal in principle earlier this month to sign the attacker in January, with Oxford United under a temporary transfer embargo.
The U’s were not willing to sanction an exit for the England youth international or any of Aaron Ramsey’s top assets before the end of the summer window, with the League One club unable to recruit suitable replacements.
But after a poor start to the campaign, Paul Heckingbottom wanted to complete a deal during the current window in order to bolster his front-line.
After Preston offered improved terms this week, with Oxford reluctantly gave Mills the green light to make the switch to Deepdale.
The 22-year-old has subsequently penned a three-year contract in the north west, with the deal running until 2029.
Stanley Mills pushed for Oxford United exit
And U’s boss Ramsey revealed Mills made it clear he wanted to depart the Kassam Stadium before Tuesday's deadline.
Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford, the head coach said: ‘Stan made it clear that he wanted to pursue other things so we wish him all the best of luck and my full focus is now on the players that want to be here at the football club.
‘It was a club decision where we all aligned and felt like that was the best solution for this club.
‘Any decision that goes on, a load of people are involved to make the best decision for this football club.
That was the intention right from the off. But things happen and it can become difficult at times.
‘Ultimately we're making the best decisions that we possibly can for this team to be able to go out there, be fully committed and win football games.’
Mills joins Alfie Devine, Delano Burgzorg, Harry Clarke, Leo Leroy, Lee Nicholls, Jusef Erabi, and Caleb Wiley in making the move to Deepdale this summer.