Northern Ireland international released following short-term Championship stint
Northern Ireland international Jamal Lewis has been released following a short-term stint at Championship club Preston North End.
The 28-year-old originally joined Preston in October on a deal until December but his stay was extended until the end of last season.
During his time at Deepdale, Lewis made 15 appearances across all competitions – the last coming in February’s 1-0 league defeat to Blackburn Rovers, who were managed by international boss Michael O’Neill, before his campaign was ended by injury.
Lewis started his senior career at Norwich City before joining Newcastle United, playing 31 times in the Premier League, and also enjoyed loan spells at Watford and Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo.
The full-back has earned 40 Northern Ireland caps and played against Luxembourg in last year’s World Cup qualifying campaign victory at Windsor Park.
Lewis has now entered the free agent market and will likely attract interest from a host of clubs in the Football League pyramid.
The Luton-born defender made his Preston debut just one day after signing for the club and was thankful for the opportunity presented by boss Paul Heckingbottom after starting the season without a team.
“I was really thankful to the gaffer for chucking me in which is kind of what I needed,” he said after extending his contract in December. “It was zero to a hundred miles an hour but that’s something that suits my personality.
"Thankfully, I recovered quickly from my injury and I’m happy to be back with the boys now and I’m raring to go.
"Hopefully when I get a consistent run of games in they (the fans) should see the Jamal Lewis that's at full flow down the left.
"I want to get back into the starting eleven and help the team as much as possible. I feel good, I’m fit and healthy, and I’m ready to go."