Fans react as Kian Best calls out Preston North End after ‘finding out’ he’s been released by the club via Instagram.
The 19-year-old Lancashire-born defender, who came through the Championship club’s academy and was on loan at Bohemians, expressed frustration on social media, implying the club didn’t directly inform him of his departure.
However, it appears he wasn’t told about his departure before learning it from a post from the club’s official Instagram account.
“We’d like to wish the players leaving us this summer the very best of luck for the future,” read the post, along with a slideshow of eight players who are set to leave.
The photo included Best with the caption: “Thank you Besty”.
Best then put it on his Instagram stories with it captioned: “Good way to find out through Instagram.”
talkSPORT report: “The news was unlikely to have been a total surprise to him, though, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season and the player seemingly in no discussions with the club over an extension.”
PRESTON RETAINED / RELEASED LIST
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.
As mentioned, fans react Kian Best calls out Preston after ‘finding out’ he’s been released via Instagram…
@SteveHigginson4: Kian Best with the classic ‘I’ve been released and wasn’t told’ post. Your contract’s up, no new offer, and you’ve played one game on loan at Bohemians — you knew. This ‘watch me prove them wrong’ act isn’t fooling anyone. No one at Preston will be losing sleep over it #pnefc
@fanpne: Clearly has an attitude problem. Has ability but that isn’t everything
@mrcollins1986: Youve gotta be taking the piss? (If true) the lad has found out he has been released via social media! He’s a pro and has been there since he was a kid. Surely a meeting isn’t hard to sort to tell him such massive news? Attitude!? 🤣🤣🤣
@LewisBa26992605: Found out he’s lost his job through instagram pal, think it’s fair to have a-bit of an attitude.
@Ash_GW: He’s trying to get on one of those “Player released and found out on Instagram” viral posts to drum up some interest in him I reckon.
@PNEChatter: Only got outperformed by the coaching staff in the fitness drills and cost himself multiple moves… #pnefc
@RRpnefc: I heard this. Bad attitude too apparently.
@_OnTheConcourse: Got outrun by Hecky on the sprints #pnefc
@PR4PNE: It’s been clear as day all year that he wasn’t going to be staying yet I’m meant to believe he’s found out on Instagram? Yeah I don’t think so #pnefc
@AlastairWood4: I’d have to agree particularly with everything I’ve heard behind the scenes. Although it’s not unfeasible that no one has officially sat him down or told him. But still I think people are jumping on the club for no reason. We should be asking how he managed to ruin his career
@captain_kremen: I’ve heard from more than 1 person that he has had a bad attitude. Rumours allege that he asked for £8k a week, which i suspect is a result of meeting up with prem league kids at the under 18s & having his head turned.
@SpotOnBrycey: Sorry, but theres just absolutely not a fucking chance stuff like this is true
@TopLeaf9: @pnefc Any truth in this?? I’m very unsure it’s true , surely his agent would of been told at least 🤔 #pne #pnefc
@HParkz10: If this is true, club have had a nightmare and it’s not good enough #pnefc
@Neil_Robinson64: Shame if he let himself down. Let’s hope he can get his act together in future as he has talent for sure.
@pnefc33: Whoever has allowed this to happen is an utter disgrace. Hang your head in shame @pnefc. #pnefc
@vincent_wareing: Kian Best was described as entitled with a questionable attitude, and his father reportedly blocked a move to Saudi Arabia and demanded senior wages. His attitude is his downfall and has been reported by Bohemians where he is not playing because of this.
@Craig_Haz: Can’t believe the outcry over this, the only reason fans got excited over him was because of his age, he wasn’t great when he played and got dropped (rightly so). Another manager hasn’t picked him and he’s not getting games in Ireland which says all you need to know.
@pneadz: Been known that he has an attitude problem and if that’s true not surprised he’s gone although he’s a great talent no need for bad characters in the dressing room.
@JakeAndrews1992: We’ll all knew 6 months ago he wasn’t getting a contract, suspect he’s talking shit
@MphMphlaughs: I see a bit of bullshit here, simply not good enough and sulked
