Swansea City seal Freddie Woodman loan move
Swansea City has completed the signing of Newcastle United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on a season-long loan, subject to international clearance.
The 22-year-old travelled to South Wales to undergo his medical on Wednesday, and has signed on for the Swans after putting pen to paper on a contract extension with his parent club.
He will take part in training with his new team-mates on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Championship opener against Hull.
Croydon-born Woodman – the son of former Crystal Palace, Brentford, Oxford and Northampton keeper Andy – started his youth career with the Eagles but made the move to Tyneside in 2013.
He has made four first-team appearances for the Magpies, being handed his debut against Luton in the FA Cup third round during the 2017-18 season before three further outings in the same competition last term.
During his time with Newcastle, Woodman has had loan spells with Hartlepool, Crawley, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen, and made a particular impression at Rugby Park as he kept five clean sheets in 15 appearances.
Woodman – whose godfather is England boss Gareth Southgate - has been capped by the Three Lions at every age category from under-16 to under-21, with Swans head coach Steve Cooper and goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson having worked with him at international level.
Woodman was part of the England Under-17 squad that secured the European Championship title in 2014. The keeper conceded just two goals and saved a penalty in the triumph over Holland in the final.
History would repeat itself in 2017 as he saved another penalty in the final to help England Under-20s see off Venezuela to win the World Cup.
Woodman – who beat off competition from Manchester United’s Dean Henderson for a starting role - played alongside the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ademola Lookman, Dominic Solanke and Kyle Walker-Peters in the Three Lions’ successful line-up.
He will be hoping to make his mark in SA1 as he competes with Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Erwin Mulder and Steven Benda for the number one shirt.
