Everton forward Tom Cannon has joined Championship side Preston North End on loan until the end of the season.
The teenager was recently called up to Everton’s senior squad, and travelled with the Blues to Australia for the Super Sydney Cup tournament in November, scoring against Western Sydney Wanderers as well as slotting a penalty in the shootout victory over Celtic.
Indeed, Cannon was included in Frank Lampard’s match-day squad for the Boxing Day visit of Wolves in the Premier League, making a late substitute appearance, but it is hoped that the loan will aid in the development of the forward, with high hopes for the youngster at Goodison Park.
Cannon has impressed at U23 level for the club, and was watched several times by Preston manager Ryan Lowe, who was present to see the striker score against Paris Saint Germain’s academy and Mansfield Town’s first team. Upon securing Cannon’s services for the remainder of the campaign, Lowe expressed his delight with his side’s new signing.
Lowe said, “I’ve been following Tom’s progress for around a year now, with him being a Liverpool lad playing for Everton, not too far from us.
“We’ve heard really good things about him and he’s someone I’ve watched play numerous times. He’s a goal threat and a goalscorer.
“It’s not about who it is, it’s about people who score goals and, as you’ll hopefully see, he gets in the right areas to do just that.
“He’s a young lad with great energy, great ability, he works his socks off for the team and more importantly he’s a goalscorer. There were a lot of clubs who were interested in signing him…”
Hopefully the 19-year-old has a successful loan at Ryan Lowe’s side and returns to Goodison Park with some invaluable experience, and plenty of goals, under his belt.