OFFICIAL: Freddie Woodman to move permanently to Preston North End

Newcastle United just made official another sale, in this case, one of the most promising players to hit the turf of St James Park but also one with a blocked road ahead of him had he decided to stay in Tyneside: Freddie Woodman.

While this transfer would have been more than surprising in the context of Newcastle when last season kicked off, it hardly is now that the new owners are in place, operating, and very well established in the club and the Premier League after the Magpies dodged relegation.

At just 25 years old, selling Woodman outside of context given his upside would have made zero sense, even more considering how Martin Dubrovka is aging dangerously—yes, folks, time only goes forward and it does for everybody—and the willingness of the organization to bring competition for the veteran goalie in time for next campaign. Now, though, things seem much more obvious and reasonable all things consider.

It is Preston North End, from the English Championship, adding the young keeper to its squad. This marks a huge spell at NUFC from Woodman, who arrived in Tyneside as early as 2013 carrying the keeper-of-the-future tag for so many years. He’ll do no more, though that also comes with the positive for him that he’ll once and for all get to spend time managing the goal of his club from the get-go and for a full 90-minute tally each and every weekend without fail.

Woodman spent the last six months of last season on loan at AFC Bournemouth, though those weeks turned into a forgettable experience with the goalie making no start at all for The Cherries. Bournemouth was reportedly interested in adding Woodman but the young keeper rejected that proposal.

It’s all about the good old times for Woodman, who came out as a champion of the U20 World Cup with England in 2017 and won the Golden Glove award of the tournament back then. There is no denying that Woodman has (more than a bit of) talent in bunches in himself and he’ll finally get to showcase it at an entirely different level that will see him getting tons and tons of chances.

Here’s hoping everything goes well for Freddie Woodman in the future!