Freddie Woodman's departure from St James' Park brought an end to an emotional era on Tyneside. The former Magpies youngster joined the club in 2013, as the young shot stopper moved up to the North East alongside dad Andy Woodman who became goalkeeping coach under Alan Pardew.
Woodman would spend the majority of his career on loans away from St. James' Park, quickly establishing himself as one of the best young shot stoppers in the EFL. He was part of England Under-20s World Cup winning squad in 2017, winning the Golden Glove Award for the tournament's best goalkeeper, and he saved a penalty in the final against Venezuela which England won 1–0.
However, his first real break would come at Swansea City in 2019-20 with Woodman going on to make a huge statement in the Championship. His performances for the Swans saw him touted for a Premier League return to fight to become Newcastle United number one.
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After another couple of seasons on loan, Woodman was given his opportunity to play for the Magpies' First-Team in the Premier League, making four starts at the beginning of last season. Unfortunately for the 25-year-old, that coincided with Newcastle's worst start in Premier League history and he was sent out on loan to Bournemouth, where he struggled for game time.
This summer felt like the end of a chapter with Woodman leaving for guaranteed football. Chronicle Live spoke with George Hodgson, Preston North End writer at LancsLive, for an insight into how Woodman has fared since making the move to Deepdale.
1. How did the move come about in the summer?
George Hodgson: "Ryan Lowe mentioned speaking to opposition players last season, about potentially joining North End the following year. PNE beat Bournemouth at home in March 2022 and you'd be surprised if the Lilywhites chief didn't catch a word with Woodman, with him on the bench that day.
"Lowe wanted a goalkeeper with strong distribution and Woodman ticked a lot of boxes for Preston. He remains the only player Lowe has paid a transfer fee for at Deepdale, with goalkeeper having been a priority position to fill and Woodman the club's number one target. Managing to land him was perceived as a real coup."
2. How has Woodman fared since making the move to PNE?
GH: "Yeah really well. He's looking to get back to his best form over the festive period, but Woodman's start to life at Deepdale was exceptional.
"He kept several clean sheets at the start of the season and made some really important saves in games. He has been the regular number one at the Championship and seems a terrific character to have in and around the places.
"He oozes positive energy and has brought a winning mentality into camp - as well as promotion and play-off experience."
3. He was once viewed as a future England number one and Premier League calibre goalkeeper. Do you think he can play in the top flight consistently in the future?
GH: "At 25-years-of-age I don't see why not as time is still on his side. He's got himself a permanent home now and is under contract until 2024, so it's a big couple of years for Woodman at Preston.
"Ryan Lowe has aspirations to take PNE into the Premier League for the first time and Woodman will play a big part in trying to achieve that."
4. Have there been any standout moments for Woodman so far this season?
GH: "His best two games have been at home to Swansea - his former loan club - and West Brom. North End won both of those matches 1-0 and they had their goalkeeper largely to thank on both occasions.
"Woodman brilliantly kept out Karlan Grant and Jed Wallace in the victory against the Baggies, while pulling off immense stops to keep out Jay Fulton and Ryan Manning against the Swans. His interviews have also been excellent - a real natural in front of the microphone and humble individual."
5. He was the number two at Bournemouth when many expected him top be a number one. Have there been any signs that it may have knocked his confidence?
GH: "No I wouldn't say so. Bournemouth had a solid number one in Mark Travers last year and the door just didn't open for Woodman, but from what I can tell he took the positives from being involved in a promotion campaign. If anything, it has made him more appreciative for every minute he spends on the pitch. Before his time with the Cherries, he played week-in-week-out for Swansea and is doing that again now with PNE.
"Woodman told us back in November: 'Yeah, I love it and that is what we're paid to do, play football. So yeah, I love it and every game I have played in this season, I have tried to just be really grateful for being out there. When you have a season out and you don't play as much as you would've liked, you are itching to play and a bit like a rabbit in headlights when you then get the chance to. It has been nice to get consistent games over a period of time, I have really enjoyed it'."
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