Newcastle United have solved our potential future goalkeeper conundrum by signing Freddie Woodman to a new two-year deal, before allowing the Toon product to join Swansea City on loan, the club have confirmed.
The London-born shot-stopper had entered the final year of his previous terms, and faced an uncertain future at St James’ Park with Rob Elliott and Karl Darlow also out of contract next summer.
Losing all three would have left Steve Bruce, or whoever is in charge in 2020, with a dilemma over who supports Martin Dubravka in the future, as new agreements would have been required to prevent losing the trio for free.
Woodman joining Swansea on loan for the 2019/20 Championship season means the Toon will not be able to see the former Hartlepool, Crawley Town and Kilmarnock loan signing in action for another year, without observing his temporary Welsh outfit in second-tier action.
Newcastle’s Loan Coordinator Shola Ameobi will need to keep a close eye on the 22-year-old’s performances at the Liberty Stadium, though, as the club will have to reach a decision next summer over whether the 6 ft 1 ‘keeper has a serious long-term future at St James’ Park, in order to recoup any market value if not.
Woodman has made four first-team appearances for the Magpies to date, with three of which coming in last season’s FA Cup, before earning outings for the club during our pre-season friendlies with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Preston North End.
The U21 England international entered the action against Wolves at half-time after a challenging forty-five minutes for Darlow as he conceded three, and fared reasonably well against the Molineux Stadiums natives, although he required Frederico Fernandez to clear off the line after Taylor Perry fired past him.
Woodman could now be in line to make his Swans debut in their Championship curtain-raiser against Hull City on Saturday, August 3.