Liverpool have officially completed the signing of 28-year-old goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on a free transfer from Preston North End, bolstering their goalkeeping depth for the 2025/26 season.
The move, confirmed by the club on June 27, 2025, sees Woodman, a former England U21 international, join as the third-choice goalkeeper behind Alisson Becker and new signing Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will arrive from Valencia on July 1 for £29 million.
The transfer, first reported by Paul Joyce of The Times, provides experienced cover for Arne Slot’s squad as they aim to defend their Premier League title and compete in the Champions League.
Woodman, whose contract with Preston expired on June 30, made 138 appearances for the Championship side over three seasons, including 44 last season, keeping 17 clean sheets.
His career spans loan spells at Newcastle United, Swansea City, Bournemouth, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, and Hartlepool United, and he won the 2017 U20 World Cup with England. As an “association-trained” player, Woodman does not count against Liverpool’s 17 non-homegrown UEFA squad slots, a key factor with the Reds at their limit after signing Milos Kerkez. He will join pre-season training at the AXA Training Centre next month, alongside 19-year-old Ármin Pécsi, signed for £1.5 million from Puskás Akadémia.
The signing addresses Liverpool’s need for depth after selling Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford for up to £18 million and loaning out Vitezslav Jaros to Ajax and Harvey Davies to Crawley Town.
Fans on social media are optimistic, with one posting, “Woodman’s a smart pickup—solid experience and no squad slot issues!” However, some question his role, given Mamardashvili’s long-term status as Alisson’s eventual successor, with one user noting, “Third choice at 28? Hope he’s okay with limited minutes.”
Woodman’s 2022/23 Player of the Year award at Preston highlights his reliability, though he’s not expected to challenge for a starting spot.
Liverpool’s summer business, totaling £187 million with Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Pécsi, reflects their ambition, offset by Jarell Quansah’s £35 million sale.
With talks for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi ongoing and Ibrahima Konaté’s future uncertain, Woodman’s arrival ensures stability in goal. The move, praised for its financial shrewdness, positions Liverpool to navigate a demanding season with robust depth.