Over in the Netherlands, one former Preston North End player had a memorable Saturday.

Heerenveen was routed 9-1 at home by AZ Alkmaar of the Eredivisie, including four goals from former PNE loanee Troy Parrott. In the summer, the Republic of Ireland international permanently parted ways with Tottenham Hotspur, reportedly for a figure of £6 million. Parrott was a loanee at Excelsior Rotterdam during the 2023–2024 season.

And in July, plans to return to the Netherlands came to pass. After three victories and one draw in the first four games of the season, Parrott did not score. But last weekend at the AFAS Stadion, the 22-year-old got himself going. After giving AZ the lead back in the first half, he scored goals two, three, and four in the next eleven minutes. After the game, Parrott was serenaded by the supporters.

“Obviously, as a striker, it’s disappointing not to score in the previous games because I always want to score goals,” he said to ESPN after the game. However, I don’t worry about these things because it’s normal and you can’t play flawlessly in every football game.

“I am aware of this and have faith in my abilities. I think this team is incredibly talented, and we will generate opportunities. Tonight, that was the case, and I was present. It’s a lovely thing, but I didn’t know this. It’s a lovely thing to perform this in front of all of the supporters in our home stadium.

Other PNE loan forward news: on Saturday afternoon, Stephy Mavididi scored his first Premier League goal. In 2017–18, the 26-year-old spent ten games on loan at Deepdale. After that, he played for Montpellier, Dijon, and Juventus before moving on to Leicester City in the summer of 2023.

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