EFL star with broken leg completes surprise transfer one month after window shut
A Championship star has completed a shock move away from his club six weeks after the transfer window slammed shut. Duane Holmes, who played for Preston North End, has left the Lilywhites in order to pursue an opportunity to move to the US. Duane Holmes completed a shock move to MLS side Houston DynamoInstagram @houstondynamo He has since joined Houston Dynamo on a deal until the end of the 2026 season with the option of another two years. Holmes is currently out with a broken leg, but with a contract at Deepdale that was due to expire in the summer, the 30-year-old was allowed to leave on a free transfer three-and-a-half months early. While the most recent British transfer deadline was February 3, the MLS window runs from January 31 to April 23. Holmes was born in Columbus, Georgia and holds duel nationality, winning two senior caps for the US. Holmes joined Preston in the summer of 2023 and made 73 appearances for the club, scoring six times in the process. Explaining his exit, Holmes told Preston’s official website: “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time at PNE. “I want to say a big thank you to the fans for their support throughout my time here. “I have met many great people and wish the lads nothing but success. “I want to say a special thank you to Ben Rhodes, Doc Lakeland and Peter Ridsdale for everything they have done for me and my family. “See you all soon, Duane.” Holmes is currentlly sidelined with a broken legGetty But the opportunity to move to the MLS was too good to turn downGetty Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom said: “Duane has been presented with an opportunity to take his family out to the States and it’s one that he can’t turn down, which we completely understand. “I spoke to Duane about this move a while back and said that I definitely wouldn’t stand in his way if it’s something which he wanted to pursue. “He’s been brilliant to work with and I wish him and his family all the best.” Holmes started his career with Huddersfield’s youth academy before spending time with Scunthorpe and Derby. The midfielder then returned to Huddersfield in 2021 and spent two years with the Terriers before moving to Preston in the summer of 2023.
A Championship star has completed a shock move away from his club six weeks after the transfer window slammed shut.
Duane Holmes, who played for Preston North End, has left the Lilywhites in order to pursue an opportunity to move to the US.
He has since joined Houston Dynamo on a deal until the end of the 2026 season with the option of another two years.
Holmes is currently out with a broken leg, but with a contract at Deepdale that was due to expire in the summer, the 30-year-old was allowed to leave on a free transfer three-and-a-half months early.
While the most recent British transfer deadline was February 3, the MLS window runs from January 31 to April 23.
Holmes was born in Columbus, Georgia and holds duel nationality, winning two senior caps for the US.
Holmes joined Preston in the summer of 2023 and made 73 appearances for the club, scoring six times in the process.
Explaining his exit, Holmes told Preston’s official website: “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time at PNE.
“I want to say a big thank you to the fans for their support throughout my time here.
“I have met many great people and wish the lads nothing but success.
“I want to say a special thank you to Ben Rhodes, Doc Lakeland and Peter Ridsdale for everything they have done for me and my family.
“See you all soon, Duane.”
Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom said: “Duane has been presented with an opportunity to take his family out to the States and it’s one that he can’t turn down, which we completely understand.
“I spoke to Duane about this move a while back and said that I definitely wouldn’t stand in his way if it’s something which he wanted to pursue.
“He’s been brilliant to work with and I wish him and his family all the best.”
Holmes started his career with Huddersfield’s youth academy before spending time with Scunthorpe and Derby.
The midfielder then returned to Huddersfield in 2021 and spent two years with the Terriers before moving to Preston in the summer of 2023.
