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Topics: Football, Preston North End
Chris Byfield
Kian Best has hit out at Preston North End, alleging that he was only informed he was leaving his boyhood club via a post on Instagram.
The 19-year-old has been on loan at Irish club Bohemians until June, but Preston has already announced his departure from the Championship outfit.
Best came through Preston’s academy system, signing scholarship terms with the club in 2021 and a professional contract in July 2023.
After a promising start to his career at Deepdale, first team opportunities dried up, with the teenager subsequently sent in January to the League of Ireland for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
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Best’s Preston departure was confirmed after he was included on the club’s list of released players, which was posted on their website and social media.
However, the player claimed he only learned about his departure after the club posted on their official Instagram.
The post featured a slideshow of eight players who are set to leave, included an image of Best.
“We’d like to wish the players leaving us this summer the very best of luck for the future,” the club said. “Thank you Besty”.
Best reposted it on his Instagram stories alongside the message: “Good way to find out through Instagram.”
The youngster has since deleted the post.
Preston also announced that keeper Freddie Woodman, forward Emil Riis, midfielder Ryan Ledson and defender Patrick Bauer will also be departing upon the expiry of their contracts.
Ledson signed from Oxford United in 2018 and went on to play some 215 games for the club, netting seven goals.
He made his final appearance in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Britsol City, which saw the club avoid relegation to League One on the final day of the season.
"I've had the best seven years that I could have asked for. This club means so much to me," he said. "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."
Elsewhere, Robbie Brady has been offered a new deal to stay at Preston, while Ched Evans is in talks over a coaching role.