Leaving Everton key to kickstarting career - Gibson

Lewis Gibson made 19 appearances in all competitions for Plymouth this season and will be available when Preston face Charlton in the FA Cup on Saturday

New Preston North End defender Lewis Gibson says leaving Everton in 2023 was key to kickstarting his career.

The 24-year-old came through the Toffees' academy but did not make a single first-team appearance for the club.

He joined Plymouth Argyle in 2023 and helped the Pilgrims stay in the Championship last term before moving to Deepdale early in January, having made 63 appearances overall for the Devon club.

"It's the step I had to take to progress in my career and Plymouth was that option to do that and find a home," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"The support I had there from coaches, externally with the fans and internally with the players was second to none.

"That allowed me to be myself from the off and hit the ground running to perform at the level I did there."

Preston were understood to have fought off interest from several other clubs to sign Gibson, who started his youth career at Middlesbrough before moving on to Newcastle United and Everton.

Gibson went on to have loan spells with Fleetwood Town, Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol Rovers before his move to Plymouth.

"I feel like there's been a long-standing interest from Preston and when the manager came in he made his thoughts known on who he wanted to bring in," Gibson added.

"There was never a doubt in my mind about where I wanted to progress my career and play my football."