Oxford United can confirm that Ryan Ledson will leave the club this summer to join Preston North End for an undisclosed fee.

Ryan, 20, made 70 starts for the U’s, scoring four goals, after joining from Everton in the summer of 2016 and was the winner of the Supporters Player of the Year award this season.

He joins Preston on a three-year deal and Head Coach Karl Robinson told us:

“I am sure everyone at the club is sad to see him go because he is an outstanding young man as well as a really good player. Preston have behaved impeccably throughout the process; once there was interest we told them a price and they matched it. Ryan is very mature and we spoke honestly about what he saw as a chance to move closer to home as well as a chance to prove himself in the Championship.

“I have said a few times now that we have already started to build for next season and we have players in mind who we believe will come in and strengthen our midfield this summer, plus we have some excellent players already at the club who now get the chance to shine in that area.

“I’m sure the fans will join me in thanking Ryan for his time here and we wish him all the best in everything he does in the future.”

Ryan told us:

“It’s exciting to be joining Preston and I’m looking forward to playing in the Championship, but I am sad to be leaving Oxford as well. It’s been fantastic and the fans there have been great with me so I wanted to thank them for that.

“I leave with the club in really good hands. Karl has come in as Manager and definitely got the club moving in the right direction again. He has been brilliant with me and I am sure that Oxford United are in for a really exciting time and will be challenging towards the top of the table again next season.”