Liverpool Secure Freddie Woodman on Free Transfer to Strengthen Goalkeeping Ranks
Liverpool have officially announced the signing of 28-year-old goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on a free transfer from Preston North End, adding valuable experience to their squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Confirmed by the club on June 27, 2025, Woodman arrives as third-choice keeper behind Alisson Becker and new £29 million signing Giorgi Mamardashvili, who joins from Valencia on July 1. The deal, initially reported by Paul Joyce of The Times, is seen as a savvy addition as Arne Slot looks to build a squad capable of defending the Premier League title and competing strongly in Europe.
Woodman departs Preston after his contract expired on June 30, having made 138 appearances over three seasons — including 44 games last year, where he kept 17 clean sheets. A former England U21 and U20 World Cup winner, he brings a wealth of experience from spells at clubs including Newcastle United, Swansea, Bournemouth, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, and Hartlepool United.
Importantly, Woodman qualifies as an “association-trained” player, meaning he won’t take up a non-homegrown spot in Liverpool’s UEFA squad — a critical detail as the Reds approach their registration limit following the arrival of Milos Kerkez.
He’ll join the squad for pre-season at the AXA Training Centre next month, alongside 19-year-old Ármin Pécsi, who joined from Puskás Akadémia for £1.5 million.
The move comes after Caoimhin Kelleher’s sale to Brentford for up to £18 million and loan moves for Vitezslav Jaros (Ajax) and Harvey Davies (Crawley Town), leaving a clear need for a reliable backup.
While Woodman isn’t expected to compete for the starting role, his consistent performances — including a Player of the Year award at Preston in 2022/23 — underscore his value as a dependable option. Still, some fans remain cautious about his role, with one comment reading, “Third choice at 28? Hope he’s okay with that.”
So far, Liverpool’s summer spending has reached £187 million with the additions of Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Pécsi — offset in part by Jarell Quansah’s £35 million departure.
With negotiations for Marc Guéhi ongoing and Ibrahima Konaté’s future unresolved, Woodman’s arrival provides much-needed security between the posts — and further signals Liverpool’s intent to stay competitive on all fronts.
