Kian Best

Kian Best

Personal information
Full name	Kian Andrew Best
Date of birth	(2005-08-27) 27 August 2005 (age 19)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Bohemians (on loan from Preston North End)
Number	21
Youth career
0000–2023	Preston North End
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2023–	Preston North End	13	(0)
2025–	→ Bohemians (loan)	0	(0)
International career^‡
2023	England U19	5	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:32 29 January 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:35, 24 March 2024 (UTC)

Kian Andrew Best (born 27 August 2005) is an English footballer who plays for League of Ireland Premier Division side Bohemians, on loan from EFL Championship club Preston North End.[1]

Early life

Best attended Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Fulwood in Lancashire.[2]

Career

In June 2021, Best agreed to two-year scholarship terms with Preston North End.[3] In April 2023, his contract was extended by an extra year by Preston.[4] Best made his league debut in the 23-24 league opener against Bristol City wearing the number 33 shirt at Ashton Gate.[5] On 29 January 2025, Best was loaned out to League of Ireland Premier Division club Bohemians until the end of June.[6]

International career

In November 2023, Best received his first call-up to the England U19 side.[7] He scored and assisted on his debut on 15 November 2023, in a 6–0 win over Romania U19.[8]

Style of play

Left-footed and described as "versatile", Best is capable of playing full-back or wing-back. Since his debut in August 2023, Best started the season at left wing back before converting to a left back in a back four and left sided centre back when in a back three. Bests left foot has shown dividend in some crucial games assisting the winner against Sheffield Wednesday and being heavily involved in recent games vs Coventry and Blackburn. Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe stated in an interview that Best "has a wand of a left foot"[9] He has also played in Preston youth teams as a left-sided centre-back and in midfield.[10]

Career statistics

As of match played 30 October 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Preston North End	2023–24[11]	EFL Championship	12	0	1	0	1	0	—		14	0
	2024–25[12]		1	0	0	0	2	0	—		3	0
	Total		13	0	1	0	3	0	—		17	0
Bohemians (loan)	2025[13]	LOI Premier Division	0	0	—		—		0	0	0	0
Career total			13	0	1	0	3	0	0	0	17	0

References

1. "Kian Best". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
2. Seddon, Dave (17 June 2021). "Strong local flavour to Preston North End's new group of scholars". lep.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
3. Seddon, Dave (16 June 2021). "Preston North End take on 10 new scholars and agree professional deals already with two of them". lep.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
4. Sandells, Tom (4 April 2023). "Preston North End starlets sent clear warning by manager Ryan Lowe as he promises departures". lep.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
5. Hodgson, George (7 August 2023). "Ryan Lowe outlines vital traits Preston North End duo have brought to the table". lancs.live. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
6. https://bohemianfc.com/?p=20927
7. Hodgson, George (14 November 2023). "With great pleasure, I rang him' - England U19 call up for Kian Best delights Ryan Lowe". Lancashire Evening Post. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
8. Smith, Frank (15 November 2023). "Report: England MU19s 6-0 Romania U19". England Football. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
9. Hodgson, George (3 August 2023). "'Why not?' - Ryan Lowe hints Preston North End youngster could debut against Bristol City". Lancs.Live. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
10. "Options Taken To Extend Trio Of Contracts". pnefc.net. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
11. "Games played by Kian Best in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
12. "Games played by Kian Best in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
13. https://ie.soccerway.com/players/kian-best/806801/