“It was a no-brainer in the end” – Jayson Molumby signs for Preston North End on loan

The Waterford midfielder was in high demand.

Less than 48 hours after Milwall had a club record transfer bid of €1.5 million turned down by Brighton and Hove Albion, Jayson Molumby has completed a loan deal that takes him to Preston North End for the rest of the season. At Deepdale, the 21-year-old will join up with fellow Irish internationals Seani Maguire and Alan Browne. Molurrmby had spent the whole of last season on loan with Milwall, for whom he impressed and made more than 40 appearances. Milwall were desperate to make the transfer permanent, but on the back of Molumby's strong form in the championship, Brighton were unwilling to let him go. https://twitter.com/jay_molumby15/status/1346564063543906311 The rapidly rising midfielder also impressed for Ireland last term, earning the man of the match award for his performance against Wales in the Aviva Stadium. On the Preston North End website, Molumby claimed Maguire and Browne had an influence on him joining the club. "I am really happy to be here. I spoke to the gaffer and the Irish boys here, who I know quite well, and it was a no brainer in the end and I am looking forward to getting started. "Seani and Alan speak very highly of the club and then the gaffer spoke to me and was the same and, in the end, I just wanted to get it done and I am really excited to get going and I just want to play some games and help the team." Meanwhile, manager Alex Neil said that Molymby's energy and composure on the ball makes him an important acquisition. "I think this is a signal of intent from us and he is a great acquisition. He has great energy, is good on the ball and is an Irish international. "He has played at this level before for Millwall and he knows what it is about and we are delighted to get it across the line." Meanwhile, Jack Byrne made his debut for Apoel Nicosia in what turned out to be the club's fourth straight league loss. Concern is already mounting that Mick McCarthy could be nearing the sack on the back of the club's recent run of results. Byrne came on as a second half substitute in the 86th minute, but was unable to turn the tide in the 2-1 defeat to Doxa, which sees Apoel drop to 11th in the table. Talk of McCarthy's potential successor is already doing the rounds in Cypriot newspapers. [caption id="attachment_222563" align="alignnone" width="1200"] 5 January 2021; Jack Byrne of APOEL in action during the Cyta Championship match between Doxa and APOEL at Makareio Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus. Photo by Nicos Savvides/Sportsfile[/caption]