Preston North End secured Johnny Kenny from Celtic for £3 million on deadline day, a move Bolton Wanderers manager Steven Schumacher admitted 'stung' as they could not match the fee. The Bolton News reported that Schumacher had hoped to re-sign the former Wanderers winger but Preston's offer proved decisive. Kenny previously played for Bolton before his Celtic spell and Schumacher said he would have loved to work with him again.
What the fee means for Preston's summer budget
Preston's £3 million investment in Kenny represents a significant outlay for a Championship club, especially given their current league standing of 24th with zero points from four games. The fee reflects Preston's ambition to strengthen their attacking options ahead of a tough fixture against Blackburn on 2026-09-05. With only three goals scored and nine conceded this season, the club needs immediate impact from new signings like Kenny to turn around their LLLL form.
How Bolton reacted to losing Kenny
Bolton Wanderers acted quickly to sign Theo Bair from Auxerre on loan once he became available, aiming to add pace to their front line after missing out on Kenny. Bair had played in the French top-flight for Auxerre during the current season and participated in a 10 v 10 training session with Bolton upon arrival. Schumacher acknowledged the intensity of Championship training would be a challenge for Bair, who was not expected to be available until late Monday evening.
Where Kenny fits in Preston's squad
Kenny joins a Preston side currently missing Ali McCann and Brad Potts through injury, adding depth to their wide areas. His arrival comes after Amario Cozier-Duberry moved from Brighton to Middlesbrough on loan, having recently signed a new contract with Brighton before the move. Preston will hope Kenny can provide the creativity and goal threat needed to climb away from the bottom of the table, where they sit 10 points behind leaders Swansea.
What Schumacher said about the missed opportunity
Steven Schumacher said: "Yeah it does." Steven Schumacher said: "I think Jonny Kenny would have loved to have come back, but, unfortunately, he wasn't able to make it happen." The Bolton News quoted the manager's frustration at losing out on a player familiar with the club's environment.
Preston North End will look to Johnny Kenny to make an immediate impact as they prepare to host Blackburn on 2026-09-05.
