Liverpool agree deal for Preston keeper Woodman

Liverpool Football Club has finalized a deal to sign goalkeeper Freddie Woodman from Preston North End on a free transfer. Woodman, who is 28 years old, has been with Preston since 2022 and made 22 appearances for the club during the last season in the Championship. With his contract nearing its end, Liverpool has moved to secure his services ahead of the upcoming season. The club announced that Woodman will join the squad for pre-season training next month under the guidance of manager Arne Slot. This acquisition comes as Liverpool seeks to strengthen its goalkeeping options, especially following the departure of Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford earlier this year for a potential fee of £18 million. With Vitezslav Jaros and Harvey Davies both out on loan, Liverpool is looking for experienced cover for their first-choice goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, and newly signed Giorgi Mamardashvili, who is set to join from Valencia on July 1st.

Freddie Woodman brings a wealth of experience to Liverpool’s goalkeeping department. He is a former England Under-20 World Cup winner from 2017 and has played for notable clubs including Newcastle United, Kilmarnock, and Swansea City. His status as an 'association trained' player allows him to fill a quota in Liverpool's squad without occupying one of the 17 non-homegrown player slots required by UEFA regulations. Woodman’s family background also adds an interesting dimension to his transfer; his father, Andrew Woodman, is the manager of League Two club Bromley, and his godfather is Gareth Southgate, the former England national team coach. This move not only enhances Liverpool's goalkeeping depth but also aligns with their strategy of integrating players who meet specific regulatory criteria while ensuring a balance of experience within the squad.