Preston leave it late to land Wycombe striker Beavon

Aug 31 2012 By Greg Burns

Stuart Beavon

PRESTON North End waited until the last moments of the transfer window to seal the signing of Wycombe striker Stuart Beavon.

The 28-year-old put pen to paper on a deal at the League One side minutes before the window slammed shut.

News that the Blues striker – who scored 25 goals in all competitions last season – had signed a two-year contract at Deepdale for an undisclosed fee was officially announced on the stroke of 11pm.

Preston boss Graham Westley openly spoke about his determination to land the striker after an initial bid - believed to be £125,000 - was turned down.

It is understood Wycombe were hoping for around £350,000 but had to compromise on their price after Beavon told Wycombe he wanted to make the move to Lancashire and with the striker having just 12 months left on his contract.

“Obviously we are sorry to see a player of his calibre leave the club but the deal is in the best interest of all parties,” Blues joint-chairman Don Woodward told the club's website.

The transfer will be met with disappointment but not surprise among Wanderers fans with speculation rife throughout the summer about Beavon's departure.

Wycombe – under former boss Peter Taylor – handed Beavon his shot at professional football after signing him from non-league Weymouth in 2009 after a successful loan spell.

He scored his first goal for Blues in their 1-1 draw at Hartlepool on September 12, 2009 but only went on to score two more goals in 28 appearances that season.

The striker broke his leg in a Berks & Bucks game in May 2010 and missed the next pre-season with a three-month lay-off.

He went on to make 42 appearances in their 2010/11 League Two promotion season scoring just five goals before enjoying a memorable 2011/12 campaign with his 25 goals in 45 games.

Blues boss Gary Waddock added: “Preston have got themselves a very talented player who scored a lot of goals in League One last season. I wish him all the best for the future.”

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