Image source, Wrexham AFCImage caption, Ben Whiteman came through the ranks at Sheffield United before joining Preston North End in January 2021
- Published5 August 2026, 09:00 BST
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, who joins for an undisclosed fee, 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 was a mainstay during his five-and-a-half-year spell at North End, but has been criticised by boss Paul Heckingbottom, who said he forced a move away from Deepdale.
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.
"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.
Born in Rochdale, he joined Sheffield United as a teenager and made his senior debut in 2014 before spells on loan at Mansfield Town and Doncaster Rovers.
He made his move to Doncaster permanent in 2018 and remained with Rovers, who named him captain, until 2021 when he joined Preston.
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