Alan Browne picked as Preston Player of the Year but could be on his way out of Deepdale

CORK'S Alan Browne could be on his way out of Preston North End, despite being named Player of the Year for the 2023/24 season.

The award, which is named after former England international Tom Finney, was presented to the Mahon native for his consistency across the campaign.

The most lucrative contract in the history of the club has been offered to Browne, but there are questions about his future after another season which saw the Lilywhites languish in midtable in the EFL Championship.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe confirmed that the Republic of Ireland international’s future is unclear in an interview with the Lancashire Post.

“I would love to know, wouldn’t I?” he said.

“I am the manager of the football club. I need to know if I am with him or without him, or whether I can use his money or not. I am the same as everyone else," manager Ryan Lowe said when asked if Browne would be a Preston player next term.

“Unfortunately, these are the questions for Alan Browne, not me. But, I am sure, at some point, he’s got a deadline and once that comes we’ll hopefully know.

What I will say is that Browney has been offered a contract that, in the club’s history, is the best you can offer anyone. 

"I can say that on record. We have to respect Alan’s decision, whatever that may be.

“They will have a couple of recovery days and we’ll sit down with Al again. I am sure you will know soon. Everyone knows what a great player he’s been for the club and we want that to continue, but it’s in Alan’s hands.” 

SERVICE

Should Browne decide to leave Deepdale, he will bring an end to 10 years of service to Preston. The midfielder first started out with Ringmahon Rangers and he went from there to the Cork City academy, where he won the U19 National League.

Browne was named on City's senior bench twice while playing in the League of Ireland, but he failed to make an appearance against Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United. The midfielder then moved to Preston in January 2014, at a time when the club was fighting for promotion to the EFL Championship.

Browne slowly established himself in the team, and he played a key role in Preston’s victory over Swindon Town in the 2015 promotion play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

The midfielder went on to become a senior Republic of Ireland international, and each year saw more and more questions asked about his future at Deepdale, with clubs such as Wolverhampton Wanderers and Serie A side Salernitana interested in signing him over the past few seasons.