Former Charlton Athletic defender Patrick Bauer has explained why he elected to leave the club for Preston North End this summer.
The German defender wrote himself into Charlton folklore last season, scoring a 94th-minute goal in the League One play-off final to send the Addicks back to the Championship.
He made a surprising choice following that achievement, though, electing to swap Charlton for Preston North End during the summer transfer window.
That was undoubtedly a move that caught most off guard and will have come as a bitter blow to Charlton boss Lee Bowyer, with the defender making 39 appearances in all competitions under him last season.
Bauer, though, says he viewed a move to Deepdale as the better step for his career at this moment in time.
“[The Play-Off final] was just unbelievable. Wembley is huge, the biggest stadium I’ve ever played in,” he told SportsBuzzer.
“You get goosebumps when entering. Then to score such an important goal – you do not forget that all your life.
“Charlton then offered me a new contract. But I thought that switching to Preston was the better step for my career.”
Bauer has since made a flying start to life with Preston, starting all eight of their Championship fixtures to date.
He and his new side are enjoying a fruitful start to life together too, with Preston sitting third in the Championship after picking up 16 points from a possible 24.
And while it may be too early for The Lilywhites to be dreaming of Premier League football, Bauer admits it is something he’d like to experience.
“I’m only 26 and still have goals,” he added.
“I would also like to play in the Premier League. At Huddersfield Town or Norwich City, you’ve seen that you can do that as a German, even if you’re not necessarily a superstar.”
