Davies join Reds from Preston
Ben Davies was Preston’s player of the year during the 2018-19 season
The signing of Davies was completed following a medical on Monday.
The left-sided defender, who Celtic were convinced they had secured on a pre-contract agreement, came through Preston’s youth system and has had spells on loan with York, Southport and Newport.
Burnley were also interested but it is understood Preston were not keen to sell to a local rival.
Bournemouth were considering a bid as part of a double deal also including Ben Pearson, while Sheffield United were also in the mix – but Davies jumped at the chance to move to the Premier League champions.
“It’s a huge opportunity,” said Davies. “Obviously it came as a bit of a surprise at first but once you start to get your head around it, the opportunity that is in front of me is incredible.
“I’d be silly to not make the most of it and learn from the players at the club.”
The Reds have paid £500,000 up front with add-ons worth up to £1.1m relating to first-team appearances and any other achievements he contributes to, as well as any England honours he may win.
There is a 20% sell-on clause for Preston if Liverpool make any profit on a future deal for Davies.
Liverpool’s 19-year-old Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg has joined Preston on loan as part of the deal.
Who is Davies? ‘A real steady Eddie’
Ben Davies has done well at Preston and has let his contract run down so he was going to move on in the summer. I didn’t really see him as being good enough to be on Liverpool’s radar.
He’s a real steady Eddie. He’s left-footed and quick enough but he’s not got phenomenal pace or anything like that.
He’s been good in the Championship, very good.
But I’ve watched him and thought, up against the extra nous and quality you get in the Premier League, on top of extra pace, it will be a test for him. You wouldn’t want to just throw him in to face Manchester City next Sunday, put it that way.
This is obviously a great move for him, I just can’t see him getting near the first team. Phillips has done well when he’s come in and he is probably a better player.
So, Davies would be behind him and also Rhys Williams, so even before Joel Matip comes back and the other two long-term injured players – Van Dijk and Gomez – he is going to be below them on the list. And Fabinho and Jordan Henderson too.
I am not sure he will play very much, but the experience alone should be fabulous. I hope he experiences playing in the first team, but even if he is just sitting on the bench then it is still great.
