Education
Ryan attended the Blackburn Rovers Academy before being released.
Ryan attended the Blackburn Rovers Academy before being released.
He made his debut in the Football League in October 2014 following loan spells with Stalybridge Celtic and Stockport County earlier in the year. He joined the Preston North End youth set-up after a month-long trial in 2012. He turned professional with the "Lambs" in July 2014, having spent time on loan at Stalybridge Celtic in the 2013-2014 season.
He returned on loan to the Conference North with Stockport County at the start of the 2014-2015 campaign.
He made his debut in the Football League on 4 October 2014, coming on for Joe Garner late into a 4–2 victory over Colchester United at Deepdale. On 5 August 2015, he joined Morecambe on loan until 31 October 2015.
After playing just 41 minutes over three appearances for Morecambe, he returned to Preston. On 20 October, Ryan went out on loan again but this time to National League club Southport.