Preston sign striker Jayden Stockley from Exeter
MK Dons, managed by former Grecians boss Paul Tisdale, also met release clause
Thursday 3 January 2019 13:31, UK
Preston have signed striker Jayden Stockley from Exeter for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half year deal.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a prolific season so far and is currently the top scorer in Sky Bet League Two having netted 16 goals in 25 matches.
Sky sources understand Preston triggered Stockley's £750,000 buyout fee and beat Exeter's League Two rivals MK Dons - managed by former Grecians boss Paul Tisdale - after they also met the release clause.
Stockley told the Preston website: "I can't wait to meet all the boys and get training, once everything is sorted out from a business end you want to get the football going as soon as possible and to help the boys."
Preston boss Alex Neil added: "We have spoken at length about having a big target man since Jordan Hugill left.
"We have different types of strikers; you've got Sean [Maguire] who is the small and nippy one, we've got Lukas [Nmecha] who is big, athletic, a good runner, Louis [Moult] who can take it in and link the game as a penalty box striker, and I think Jayden gives us a different type."
Stockley began his career at Bournemouth and spent time on loan at Luton and Exeter before joining Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen on a permanent basis in 2016.
He spent a season in Scotland before rejoining Exeter, where he has enjoyed the most best goal-scoring spell of his career so far.
Stockley netted 20 goals in 44 League Two appearances last season as Exeter reached the play-off final at Wembley where they were beaten by Coventry.
