Wrexham set to sign Preston captain Whiteman

Wrexham are poised to complete the signing of Preston North End captain Ben Whiteman.

The midfielder has made 200 Championship appearances and completed a medical with the Red Dragons on Tuesday.

He is now expected to become the club's second capture of the summer transfer window following the arrival of full-back Danny Imray from Crystal Palace.

Whiteman has been slammed by North End boss Paul Heckingbottom, who said the 30-year-old forced a move away from the Deepdale club.

Heckingbottom feels the experienced midfielder crossed a line by telling club bosses that he had played his final game for Preston.

"Ben knew there was a line I didn't want him to cross and unfortunately he has," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"There's a valuation on him, I just hope for Ben's sake that Wrexham are willing to pay it otherwise he's put himself in a sticky situation.

"He's made his bed. I'm not bothered as long as I get another player."

Whiteman, a product of Manchester United's academy, played 43 times for Preston in the Championship last season as they finished 14th.

The Rochdale native joined Sheffield United as a teenager and made his senior debut in 2014 before spells on loan at Mansfield Town and Doncaster Rovers.

Whiteman later made his move to Doncaster permanent in 2018 and remained with Rovers, who named him captain, until 2021 when he joined Preston.