Preston North End are delighted to confirm Max Wilson has signed his first professional deal with the club. The 18-year-old has penned a contract to keep him at Deepdale until at least the summer of 2027, with the club holding the option of extending by an additional year. Max, in the second year of his scholarship, will now head out on his first loan spell to join up with Irish side Galway United until 30th November 2025. Speaking after signing his new deal, Max said: “I’m delighted after being here for so long. It’s good to be able to go to that next step and keep pushing on. “The loan to Galway is an opportunity for me to play men's football and get me ready because obviously I want to push onto the first team here and play in front of fans every week. It's a whole different level compared to Academy football. “If I do well there, then hopefully I can take what I've learned and come back here and impress.” Max joined the club as an U9 and has worked his way through the ranks to becoming a professional. Even before becoming a scholar, the midfielder – who’s also capable of playing as a striker – was featuring regularly for the U19s, and he was named Scholar of the Year at the end of the 2023/24 season. That was a successful campaign for the youngster, as he captained the team to both league and cup title victories. Manager Paul Heckingbottom said: “Max is a player highly regarded within our Academy system and he’s been a key player in the U21s and reserve matches so far this season. “His ability and physicality for his age is clear to see so it’ll be great for Max to go out to Ireland and get his first taste of men’s football, before coming back to us.”
Preston North End can confirm Duane Holmes has left the club to pursue an opportunity to move to MLS. Duane has featured for the Lilywhites on 72 occasions since his arrival in the summer of 2023, scoring six times in a PNE shirt. The 30-year-old has now joined up with Houston Dynamo and leaves with the very best wishes of everyone at the club. Duane said: “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time at PNE. I want to say a big thank you to the fans for their support throughout my time here. I have met many great people and wish the lads nothing but success. “I want to say a special thank you to Ben Rhodes, Doc Lakeland and Peter Ridsdale for everything they have done for me and my family. “See you all soon, Duane.” Manager Paul Heckingbottom said: “Duane has been presented with an opportunity to take his family out to the States and it’s one that he can’t turn down, which we completely understand. “I spoke to Duane about this move a while back and said that I definitely wouldn’t stand in his way if it’s something which he wanted to pursue. “He’s been brilliant to work with and I wish him and his family all the best.”
Jesse Pekka Joronen is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Venezia and the Finland national team. He made his senior debut for Finland in 2013. Wikipedia Born: March 21, 1993 (age 32 years), Rautjärvi, Finland Current teams: Venezia FC (#1 / Goalkeeper), Finland national football team (Goalkeeper) Dates joined: 2019 (Brescia Calcio), 2018 (F.C. Copenhagen) · See more Height: 1.97 m
Preston North End can confirm Ryan Ledson will leave the football club this summer after a seven-year stint at Deepdale. The central midfielder, whose contract is set to expire at the end of June, has made 215 appearances in a North End shirt since his arrival in 2018. Ledo signed for PNE from Oxford United for his first taste of Championship football and soon proved himself in the second tier. In the 2020/21 campaign, the former Everton midfielder was rewarded for an impressive season by receiving the Sir Tom Finney Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year award. Going on to become an established member of the dressing room, Ryan was often given the responsibility of wearing the captain’s armband and proudly led the Lilywhites on a number of occasions. During the 2024/25 season, Ryan reached the 200-appearance milestone for North End and played his final game for the club on the last day of the campaign, as PNE secured Championship safety. Ryan said: “I’ve had the best seven years that I could have asked for. This club means so much to me. “I want to thank everyone at the club, from the staff behind the scenes to the owner and Peter. “Thank you to the fans too for all the support you’ve given me over the years. I’m glad my last game for the club went as well as it did and I could have that moment with the fans at the end. “I’ve absolutely loved my time here and I wish everyone at the club nothing but the best for the future.” Ryan departs with the sincere thanks and best wishes of everyone at Preston North End.
Layton Stewart has completed a permanent move to FC Thun for an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old striker, who joined North End from Liverpool in 2023, initially headed on loan to the Swiss side in January 2025. Layton has since gone on to help Thun clinch the second tier title and he has now joined the club on a permanent basis. Layton made 16 appearances during his time at Deepdale and moves on with the best wishes of everyone at Preston North End.
Preston North End can confirm a number of players will be leaving the club at the end of their contract. As has already been announced, Ryan Ledson’s seven-year stint at Deepdale will come to an end this summer, after making 215 appearances for the Lilywhites. Emil Riis, scorer of almost 50 goals in a PNE shirt since his arrival in 2020, will say goodbye to the club when his contract comes to an end in June. Also moving on this summer will be goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, who has made 138 appearances for North End and was named the club’s Player of the Year at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. After featuring 105 times in a PNE shirt, Patrick Bauer will depart Deepdale at the end of his contract, as will Kian Best and Kian Taylor who progressed through the North End Academy to go on and represent their boyhood club. Robbie Brady, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season, has been offered a new deal. Ched Evans is in discussions to continue in a coaching capacity at the club. Josh Seary is set to sign a six-month extension to his deal as he continues his rehabilitation from injury. Midfielder Kaedyn Kamara has signed his first two-year professional contract, and Kacper Pasiek is also in negotiations to sign a pro deal. Third-year scholars Cole McGhee and Tommy Davis have been released. Contracted Professionals Ali McCann Andrew Hughes Ben Whiteman Brad Potts Dai Cornell Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile Jack Whatmough James Pradic Jeppe Okkels Jordan Storey Kitt Nelson Lewis Gibson Liam Lindsay Mads Frøkjær Max Wilson Milutin Osmajić Noah Mawene Stefán Thórdarson Will Keane In Negotiations Ched Evans (coaching role) Josh Seary Kacper Pasiek Robbie Brady Out Of Contract And Released Emil Riis Freddie Woodman Kian Best Kian Taylor Patrick Bauer Ryan Ledson Loan Players Returning To Parent Clubs Kaine Kesler-Hayden Jayden Meghoma Ryan Porteous Sam Greenwood U19 Players With One-Year Option Activated Harry Stringfellow Jonny Brindle Theo Carroll Theo Mawene Troy Tarry Scholars Released Ayden Garrigan Cole McGhee Dylan Gairns Peter Critchley Tommy Davis Everyone at Preston North End would like to thank all departing players for their dedication and efforts during their time with the club and wish them all the very best for the future.
Preston North End are delighted to confirm Jordan Thompson will join the club from 1st July 2025 on a two-year deal, with the option of an additional year. The central midfielder arrives at Deepdale following a five-year stint at Stoke City where he made 178 appearances. Jordan, a 28-year-old Northern Ireland international, becomes the first signing of the summer for North End. Jordan said: “I’m delighted. It’s been quite a quick turnaround and I’m just glad it’s all done now. “It’s a massive club and it’s one that I want to be part of. “I’m looking forward to getting in pre-season, meeting the rest of the boys and the staff properly and getting going.” please log in to view this image The left-footed midfielder began his career with Rangers and joined PNE’s Lancashire rivals Blackpool in 2018, going on to feature 67 times on the Fylde coast. His performances earned a move to the Potters where he racked up more than 150 appearances in the Sky Bet Championship. The former Manchester United Academy player also receives regular call-ups to his national team Northern Ireland, with 39 caps to his name. Manager Paul Heckingbottom said: “I’m really pleased we’ve got our summer business started so early and delighted Jordan’s joined us. “He’s a player we knew all about anyway from playing in the Championship and we’ve been watching him closely with a view to bringing him in. “Jordan’s a top professional and a talented footballer who likes to get on the ball and he adds a bit of balance to the midfield too, being left-footed. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
