Keep, sell or stall? Preston North End's 14 out-of-contract players in the summer of 2025


In total, 14 contract expire in the Preston North End squad this summer.
Where do those players currently stand? We have a look, below...
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Hide AdFreddie Woodman
The goalkeeper has been North End’s number one for two-and-a-half years now. He had a strong first season at the club, keeping 17 clean sheets. Last year was hit-and-miss for the former Newcastle United man and it’s been a similar story this campaign, though he did make a magnificent late save to secure victory over Coventry City at Deepdale. Woodman is from London and has said he would like to live there, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he fancied a change this summer. As for PNE, it is a position they could well look at and decide to freshen up.
Jordan Storey
Of the defenders out of contract this summer, Storey has the most time on his side - having turned 27 in September. The centre-back has suggested he would like to earn a contract extension, having been a regular for Paul Heckingbottom this season. Realistically, the defence is the main area to try and upgrade in the next few transfer windows. But, PNE may deem it dangerous to let them all go at once and therefore Storey has a chance. He has, though, been at Deepdale for an awfully long time.
Liam Lindsay
Another player who has been an ever-present at the back for North End in the last few years. Lindsay is a player Heckingbottom had worked with before and he’s stuck by the Scot, so far. Like with Storey, even if the manager wants to upgrade his starting XI, there could be an argument to keep Lindsay in the squad. But, there have been question marks over the defence for a while now and you feel there will be players moved on.
Andrew Hughes
The Welshman joined in the summer of 2018, like Storey. On the whole, he has been a steady presence at the back for Preston and always said he loves it at the club. With the calls to freshen up the defence though, this could well prove to be Hughes’ last season at Deepdale. Seven seasons at one club is a long time and with the defender turning 33 next summer, it could be time to look to the future and let someone else have a go.
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Hide AdPatrick Bauer
The BFG was expected to move on last summer, but it turned out the German had a clause in his contract which triggered an extra year. Bauer was given the nod for the Sunderland cup game by caretaker boss Mike Marsh - and then Heckingbottom, against Fulham. But, the elbow injury in that tie was a hammer-blow for the centre-back. He will miss around three months of football and it will be tough for the 32-year-old to earn a new deal, realistically.
Kian Best
As one of the club’s brighter young players, North End will ideally extend Best’s contract. But, there has been a bit of noise around his future this season and there were links to the Saudi Pro League in September, too. The teenager hasn’t had much of a look in, under Heckingbottom. Getting him out on loan in the summer would’ve been the best bet, so Preston could see how the defender handled playing week-in-week-out - at a competitive level. The sample size remains quite small.
Ryan Ledson
The midfielder was another signing made in the summer of 2018. Heckingbottom has praised his personality and character, but predominantly turned to others in the league. Ledson has captained PNE in the Carabao Cup and is someone the manager seems to value. But, if Preston decide to have a clear out next summer, he could well be one they part ways with. If that is the case, the number 18 has had a fair crack at it for several years and always given his all for the shirt.
Duane Holmes
It’s the lively midfielder’s second season at Deepdale and Heckingbottom has regularly used him in games. Holmes scored against Norwich City, but has struggled on a couple of his other starts. A player of his experience - and quality too - could be worth keeping in and around the squad. However, it’s hard to see Holmes being a regular in the XI and so all parties will probably need to assess their options - to decide whether this goes beyond 2025.
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Hide AdRobbie Brady
The Irishman had been playing his best football in a Preston shirt, prior to the ankle injury suffered at Plymouth Argyle. Brady is a vocal member of the squad and some leadership would be lost if he was to depart. It will largely depend on how he recovers from the injury and if Heckingbottom sees him as part of the plans long-term. He turns 33 in January, but had kept himself pretty fit before the recent blow. There’s probably no need to rush into a decision right now.
Emil Riis
It would be a sorry state of affairs to lose the Dane for nothing. He cost a reported £1.2million back in 2021 and has provided 49 goal contributions in 157 games for Preston. Having turned 26 in the summer, Riis is entering his prime years as a player. He can frustrate at times in the final third, but is not a player you would want to see walk away on a free transfer. The Lilywhites should be looking to extend his deal.
Ched Evans
Evans hasn’t played a game this season and turns 36 in the summer, so any extended stay beyond this season will surely be in a pure coaching capacity. It remains to be seen whether he has a long-term future at Preston in that regard, though there has only been praise for him to date.
Kitt Nelson
The youngster has had some valuable experience recently on the first-team bench. Nelson played as a striker in the academy, but has been seen at right wing-back in some reserve games. He had the loan spell at Workington last season and has trained with the senior side this campaign. But, he would not be the first youngster to do that and not earn a contract extension.
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Hide AdKian Taylor
Taylor had a nasty arm injury last season, but is back fit now and played for the reserves on Wednesday afternoon. One thing he does have in his favour is blistering pace, but the North End fan could do to nail down a position - with him having played at centre-back and central midfield. He has had one loan move, to Stafford Rangers. Another one, to a higher level, would be ideal this season.
Finlay Cross-Adair
The teenager has had a turbulent year, with the court cases and terrible car accident. He got himself back fit and headed out to Prescot Cables for a loan spell, which ended early. Another move may well be in the offing soon, but it’s a big ask now to get back in the PNE first team picture.
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