Norwich City midfielder Liam Gibbs has joined Championship side Preston North End on a season-long loan. The move sees the 23-year-old leave Carrow Road in search of more consistent playing time.
Gibbs has made over 100 appearances for Norwich City, featuring in a variety of positions. Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom views him primarily as a central midfielder. "He's lively in the box and will look to get shots off, left foot, right foot," Heckingbottom said. "He works hard for the team." The loan provides Gibbs a chance to develop further in the Championship.
Liam Gibbs departs a Norwich City squad currently positioned 16th in the Championship table. The team has taken three points from their opening three matches, with a record of one win and two losses. Their recent form reads WLL, and they have scored five goals while conceding six. This leaves them with a negative goal difference and six points behind early leaders Charlton. Gibbs is listed among the club's currently sidelined players on our injuries page, alongside J. Makama, A. Ahmed, A. Crnac, and L. Mahovo.
His temporary exit creates an opportunity within the midfield group as the season progresses. Fans can track the team's upcoming schedule, including a key away fixture against 14th-placed Sheffield United on 5 September 2026, on our dedicated fixtures page.
Preston North End also completed the permanent signing of 23-year-old forward Johnny Kenny from Celtic on the same day. Kenny signed a four-year contract after spending five years at Celtic Park. He spent the latter half of the previous season on loan at Bolton Wanderers, where he scored six goals in 14 appearances and helped the club win promotion from League One. During his time with Celtic, he netted seven times in 32 matches.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom highlighted Kenny's attributes. "He's a player who likes to play on the last line and make runs in behind; he's a sharp player," he told reporters. Kenny's arrival adds attacking depth to a Preston side that will face Norwich City twice in the league this season.
The loan move for Gibbs is a practical decision for a player needing minutes. Norwich City's focus now turns to their next Championship match. The Canaries travel to face Sheffield United this weekend, looking to improve their league standing. The full league table and detailed statistics are available on our standings and stats pages.
Both Gibbs and Kenny will be aiming to make an immediate impact for their new club. For Norwich, the immediate challenge is to convert their early-season promise into points. The loan deal for Liam Gibbs runs until the end of the 2026-27 season.
