Following speculation over his future, Preston North End midfielder Ryan Ledson looks set to leave the club in the summer when his contract expires, ending his seven-year stay at Deepdale. Wigan Athletic could be a potential destination.
Whilst Ledson has previously expressed his desire to stay at the Lancashire club, Mike McGrath reported yesterday that the 27-year-old will depart. Manager Paul Heckingbottom said that all players whose contracts are due to expire at the end of the season have been informed of decisions on their futures.
Four clubs, including fellow Championship sides Portsmouth and Oxford United, were linked with a January move. Here we look at why Wigan Athletic could be a potential destination for Ledson this summer.
Linking up with former manager
One factor that could make a move to the Brick Community Stadium an option is that Ledson has previously worked with current Latics manager Ryan Lowe, who managed Preston from December 2021 until August 2024, when he departed just one game into the current season.
Early on in Lowe’s tenure at Deepdale, Ledson spoke highly of his new boss and enjoyed his best season in terms of games played in 2021-22, featuring in 40 of Preston’s 46 Championship games, a total of 43 in all competitions.
Lowe is known for playing a 3-5-2 formation based on controlling the game and creating opportunities through possession and a high press. Speaking to Coaches’ Voice, Lowe revealed this was inspired by a post-match talk with Jurgen Klopp following a pre-season friendly with Liverpool during his time at Bury.
Whoscored lists Ledson’s main strengths as aerial duels, blocks and tackles. This could make him an asset for the Latics as one of the more defensively-minded players in the midfield, allowing them to win back the ball and start attacks.
Experience and availability
Wigan are likely to be in the market for a midfielder in the summer, with Scott Smith out of contract and Oliver Norburn set to return to fellow League One side Blackpool following the conclusion of his loan spell.
Should Wigan preserve their League One status this season, Lowe will no doubt look to push the Latics up the table in 2025-26 and a player with 66 League One appearances from his time at Oxford United who has since gone on to make 165 appearances in the Championship could be an attractive proposition on a free transfer.
Another factor that goes in Ledson’s favour is his availability. While he has been in and out of the Preston side in recent times, he has not missed a match due to injury or suspension since the first three games of the 2019-20 season.
Ledson would remain close to family
Off the pitch, one factor which is likely to play a part in the Liverpool-born midfielder’s decision over where his next destination will be is family. Having spent seven years at Preston, he is well settled in the North West.
In addition, Ledson became a father for the second time in January when his partner, Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon, gave birth to their daughter. Around the same time, Portsmouth and former club Oxford United were linked with a move for the midfielder.
It would be understandable if he wanted to remain in the Championship, but he may be reluctant to move so far away from where it currently lives when his daughter is only a few months old.
Move would be mutually beneficial
There are a number of factors that suggest that Wigan making a summer move to Ledson would be beneficial for both sides. With a vacancy for an experienced midfielder due to Norburn’s upcoming departure, Ledson would fill that gap.
Having already spent two and a half seasons working together, Lowe will already have a good understanding of the role Ledson would perform in his side, while in turn Ledson will know what the manager expects of him.
Despite not being a regular starter, he has worn the captain’s armband for Preston on a number of occasions and is highly thought of by supporters due to his work rate, qualities that would be an asset to any side.