Portsmouth star Callum Lang reacts as Preston transfer completed
Callum Lang has given his reaction after Will Keane completed his move from Preston North End to Reading.
Keane attracted permanent interest from several teams in recent windows, but the 33-year-old is now set to leave Deepdale on a free transfer.
The striker has moved to the Royals on loan until the end of the season, when his Preston contract is set to run out.
Football Insider revealed at the end of December that Reading made a contract offer to Randell Williams, and the winger has now signed amid a busy window for the League One club.
Reading also registered their interest in a move for Tom Pearce, but the free agent ultimately decided to sign for Chesterfield.
Callum Lang supportive of Will Keane move
Keane has enjoyed a strong career in the Championship and League One since coming through the Manchester United academy.
The forward broke through and made his debut in 2011, before later making two more appearances in 2016.
| Will Keane | Championship | League One |
| Appearances | 185 | 99 |
| Goals | 37 | 39 |
| Assists | 8 | 12 |
After several loans to Wigan Athletic, QPR, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston, Keane finally left permanently to Hull City in 2016.
Moves to Ipswich Town and, again, Wigan would follow, before the striker made his return to Preston in 2023.
There, he enjoyed a superb first season, scoring 13 goals in the Championship and earning his fifth cap for Ireland for his efforts.
Keane has spent much of the season out injured, but did score against Norwich City on his return in December.
He took to Instagram to thank the club following confirmation of his departure on Wednesday, and said: “A great club filled with brilliant people. Especially the PNE fans, a big thanks for your amazing support and wishing the club all the best in the future!”
Portsmouth forward Lang liked the post, with the two having played together at Wigan between 2021 and 2023.
Former Liverpool player among others to send messages
Former Liverpool and Preston player Layton Stewart, who left the Championship club for Swiss side FC Thun in 2025, was among those to send messages to Keane.
“Good luck mate”, wrote the 23-year-old midfielder, who made one appearance for Liverpool in 2022 after seriously impressing at the academy level.
Preston midfielder and captain Ben Whiteman joined his former teammate in wishing Keane good luck, as did several fans of the Lilywhites.
The striker will hope a positive second half of the season will secure him a permanent deal at Reading in the summer.