Preston North End have completed the signing of winger Stan Mills from Oxford United this week, a move that delivers a significant cash windfall to his former club Everton. The transfer, reported by Goodison News, activates a 20% sell-on clause, netting the Toffees a fee of £500,000.
Mills, 22, joins a Preston side looking to climb from their current 23rd place in the Championship. After three games, the Lilywhites have zero points, two goals scored, and six conceded, leaving them nine points adrift of leaders Charlton. Their next challenge is a home fixture against 12th-placed Bristol City on September 1st, a match you can follow on our fixtures page.
What does Stan Mills bring to Preston?
Stan Mills is a versatile attacker who can operate on the wing or in midfield. His performances for Oxford United last season, despite their relegation to League One, were statistically impressive. In 43 Championship appearances, he scored three goals and provided four assists. His underlying numbers were even stronger, placing him among the division's elite right wingers in several key areas.
Mills won 47 aerial duels, a rate that put him in the top 4.5 percentile for his position. He also made 116 defensive contributions, ranking him in the top 5.7 percentile. His ability to beat a man was clear, with 36 successful dribbles placing him in the top 10.2 percentile. Other metrics, including 35 chances created, 24 successful crosses, 54 tackles won, 59 shots taken, and 28 accurate long balls, were all reported as well above the average for a Championship winger.
How did the transfer unfold?
BBC Radio 5 Live's Ian Dennis confirmed the move, stating, "Preston North End have now completed the signing of Mills from Oxford." The player's path to Deepdale began at Leeds United before he joined Everton in the summer of 2021. He signed his first professional deal with the Toffees in July 2022 and was part of their first-team pre-season tour of America that same summer.
After making just four senior appearances for Everton, he left in summer 2023, initially joining Oxford United on loan before making the move permanent in January 2024. His solid season in a struggling side has now earned him a step back up to the Championship with David Moyes' old team, a club typically associated with mid-table finishes.
What does the £500,000 fee mean for Everton?
The financial aspect of this transfer is significant for Everton. The clause inserted into his Oxford contract has now paid out. Goodison News suggests the £500,000 sum could cover a star player's wages for the entirety of the 2026-27 season. The report also speculates that Everton might in future reflect on whether they were too quick to let the promising youngster depart.
Where does Mills fit into Preston's current plans?
Preston's squad is dealing with several absences, with Ben Potts, Tom Carroll, and Ali McCann currently sidelined, as listed on our injuries page. Mills' arrival provides fresh attacking options for a team that has struggled in the early going. His work rate and defensive contributions from wide areas could be particularly valuable as Preston seeks to solidify a leaky defence that has conceded six goals in three matches.
His versatility offers the manager different tactical shapes, whether deployed as an out-and-out winger or tucked inside. Integrating his creativity will be important for a side that needs to start converting performances into points. Fans can track the team's progress and Mills' potential impact through our stats and standings pages as the season develops.
