Preston North End tie-down Patrick Bauer until 2024

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Patrick Bauer has capped off a successful few days at Preston North End by signing a new two-year deal at Deepdale.

The German central defender got on the scoresheet in North End’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City at the weekend, deflecting Alan Browne’s powerful drive past Neil Etheridge.

Bauer is often the rock that holds the Lilywhites back three together with 415 career appearances. Ryan Lowe relies on the experienced defender to command his backline and he will be able to count on him for the foreseeable future.

The former German under-20 international was due to be a free agent this summer, but Preston acted swiftly to secure Bauer’s signature.

Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe was delighted about the 29-year-old committing his future to the Lancashire side.

“He’s a leader, not a vocal one, he’s a silent type of leader.

“He’s a great footballer, a good defender, along with Hughesy (Andrew Hughes), and all the lads who are playing.

“His statistics and everything else has gone through the roof since I have come through the door in terms of my style.

“These players are hard to find, consistent performers on a weekly basis, Patrick Bauer is one of those.”

There is no doubt that most of the Preston squad have improved since the arrival of the Liverpudlian manager, but Bauer seems to have especially responded well to the new staff.

The 29-year-old played fantastically against the Blues last time out and earned a nine out of 10 rating on Whoscored.com

Despite being up against the notoriously physical Lukas Jutkiewicz, the German won nine aerial duels, his highest success rate this season.

A key strength of the centre back’s play is his ability to read the game and make interceptions, which he managed twice during the fixture at the weekend.

Bauer had an impressive 100% tackle rate against the Blues, stopping dangerous attacks from penetrating Daniel Iversen’s goal.

However, the almost perfect performance for the defender was ruined by Scott Hogan’s 85th-minute header which took away the clean sheet in the process.

The six-foot-four defender may have upped his level of performance to avoid being replaced when the new coaching team came in, and many of the Preston support felt changes in the playing staff were needed.

Bauer has proved to be irreplaceable for the Deepdale side, mentoring Liverpool loanee Sepp Van Den Berg to good effect, as well as rising to the battle call of the new manager.

The Lilywhites come up against their midtable rivals Sheffield United, with the teams separated by just two goals.

Both sides could rise to 11th place if they win, depending on the results elsewhere, meaning that a play-off charge may not be out of their reach if they are to go on a winning run in the latter half of the season.

Bauer will be vital if Preston North End are to get anything from a team that was fighting for Europe not that long ago.

He will be up against veteran forward Billy Sharp, who has always had a good record in the Championship.

If the strong centre back, in tandem with the other members of the Preston back three, can keep the Blades talisman quiet, then their side could be in for a successful evening.

Lowe will be hoping to make a statement up against a traditionally strong United side to prove his managerial success can continue in the Championship

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