Will Keane: The clear winners from Preston North End's summer transfer window so far | OneFootball

There is already business being done at Deepdale this summer - but who is looking the best out of it?

Preston North End have already got their business up and running in the summer transfer window.

The Lilywhites have so far completed two summer signings. Sam Greenwood has joined on a season-long from Leeds United, while Iceland international midfielder Stefan Teitur Thordarson has signed permanently from Silkeborg.

In terms of departures, Lewis Leigh has returned to his former loan club Bromley on a permanent basis, while Alan Browne, Greg Cunningham and Ben Woodburn have all left after the expiration of their contracts, with long-serving Browne heading to Championshiop rivals Sunderland.

Manager Ryan Lowe will no doubt want to complete more business before the window closes on the 30th August, as his side look to build on their 10th-placed finish in the Championship last season.

But just what impact could the business done so far this summer, have on the squad who are already on the books at Deepdale?

Here, we've taken a look at two winners from the transfer business done at Preston North End since the start of the window.

Will Keane

It was a largely impressive re-debut campaign at Deepdale for striker Will Keane during the 2023/24 season.

Joining in last summer's transfer from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee, some eight years after a half-season loan stint from Man United, the 31-year-old went on to score 13 goals and provide three assists in 40 appearances in all competitions for Lowe's side.

In doing so, he ended the season as top scorer for Preston, and will be hoping to build on that in the coming campaign, especially with the other striking options the club have available.

The signings of Thordarson and Greenwood could therefore, be good news for the forward looking ahead to the coming campaign.

Both players are capable of making chances while playing behind the attacker, and so could create plenty of opportunities in front of goal for someone such as Keane.

If he is able to take those sights at goal he gets in the same way he did last season, this could prove to be another productive campaign for him.

Given his contract is set to expire next summer, that could be important from a personal perspective as well, giving Keane the chance to earn a new deal either with Preston, or elsewhere.

Kian Best

Having come through the youth ranks with the Lilywhites, the 2023/24 campaign was something of a breakthrough one at Deepdale for Kian Best.

Making his debut in the 1-1 draw with Bristol City on the opening day of the campaign after breaking through in pre-season, the left-back went on to make 14 appearances across all competitions during the season, and was even handed a maiden England youth cap at under-19 level.

The 18-year-old will be hoping to continue his progression this time around, and he may be able to get the chance to do that as things stand.

While Preston are seemingly in the market for more options at left wing-back, they are yet to make a signing in that area of the pitch, with the return of Liam Millar not happening due to his keenness to play as a winger.

A bid for Peterborough United's Harrison Burrows has reportedly already been rejected, and the lack of a new signing in that area will be a concern for some connected with the club.

However, for Best, he may see the lack of signings in that area as a chance to stake even more of a claim for that role in the Preston side this season, which would no doubt help his development.