Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Andy Lonergan has explained how he was persuaded to join Leeds United.
Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Andrew Lonergan has told the Lancashire Evening Post that Simon Grayson called him constantly to get him to sign for Leeds United in 2011.
Lonergan, 33, returns to hometown club Preston North End this weekend, as Wolves travel to Deepdale for Paul Lambert’s first game in charge of the club.
Andy Lonergan during his time at Leeds United
Lonergan, who was born in Preston and grew up supporting the club, made over 200 appearances for North End before leaving for Leeds United in 2011 upon Preston’s relegation to League One.
Now, ahead of Saturday’s return to Deepdale, Lonergan has looked back on his decision to leave Preston and join Leeds United – who were then managed by now-Preston boss Simon Grayson.
Andy Lonergan during his time at Leeds United
Grayson played alongside Lonergan at Blackpool too, and secured a reunion with the goalkeeper in the summer of 2011, as he was brought in to replace Kasper Schmeichel after the Dane’s move to Leicester City.
Lonergan went on to make 38 appearances for Leeds, but spent just one season at Elland Road before joining Bolton Wanderers, Fulham and, most recently, Wolves.
Lonergan has now told the Lancashire Evening Post that he’s a big fan of Preston boss Grayson, and loved his time playing under the North End manager at Leeds.
Andy Lonergan during his time at Leeds United
The goalkeeper added that, back in 2011, a number of other clubs wanted to sign him, but Grayson was constantly phoning him up to get him to join Leeds – a tactic which ultimately worked.
“I like Simon a lot, he is a proper genuine guy, a good manager,” said Lonergan. “There is nothing complicated about him and I enjoyed the time that he was my manager at Leeds. I had other offers when I was getting ready to leave Preston but Simon was always on the phone, persuading me to go to Leeds,” he added.
What did you think of Lonergan’s spell at Leeds United?
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