David (Dave) Nugent (born May 2, 1985 in Huyton, Liverpool) is an English footballer, currently playing for Coca-Cola Championship outfit Preston North End. The fast talking scouser is a striker that wears the No. 10 shirt for the club. As a youngster Nugent was released from the Liverpool academy as they described him as 'not good enough'.

Nugent's key attribute is his finishing, of which he is generally regarded as amongst the most clinical at this level. Nugent has another key quality for a striker that fits in with his finishing - his pace! He can outrun most Championship defenders over 50 yards and has become one of the most feared players in the Championship

Although a target for rivals Burnley FC, Nugent opted to join Preston from Bury in January 2005 for a bargain fee of £100,000 and has proved himself more than worthy at Championship level, with a reputed interest from a number of Premiership clubs.

An avid Everton fan, Nugent makes no secret of the fact he'd like to play for the Toffees some day, but during the last transfer window (January 2006) a hotly-tipped bid from former Preston manager David Moyes now of Everton, failed to materialise.

Preston failed once again to reach the Premiership, losing to Leeds United in the playoff semi-final. Rumours were rife that Everton would again try to make a move for Nugent in the summer. So far nothing has come about of this transfer and Nugent has stated that he would like to take Preston into the top flight via automatic means by scoring at least 20 goals for Preston next season. This news suggests that Nugent will stay with North End for at least one more season, although many think that if Preston do not gain access to the Preimership next season, that Nugent will move to a Preimership club.

Trivia

• His great uncle is Ali Bongo.

1985 births | Bury F.C. players | England under-21 international footballers | English footballers | Football (soccer) strikers | Living people | Natives of Merseyside | Preston North End F.C. players