Freddie Woodman turned down the chance to leave Newcastle United for a Premier League rival before dropping down to the Championship with Preston North End during the summer transfer window, Lilywhites boss Ryan Lowe tells Lancs Live.
After 13 games of the new campaign, no goalkeeper in the second tier has accumulated more clean sheets than Woodman. Nine already; putting him well clear of Sheffield United’s Wes Foderingham in the Golden Glove standings.
One of the most inspired summer signings at Championship level, Preston certainly pulled off a coup when they snapped up a man who had shone in this division before, Woodman having spent two excellent years at Swansea City under Steve Cooper before arriving in Lancashire.
Newcastle sold Freddie Woodman to Preston North End
“It was one of my main priorities; to get a very good goalkeeper in,” explains Lowe.
“It certainly helped with (Woodman) being at the same agency as me, I’m sure! It was a battle (to sign him) with Premier League clubs on the phone to him when he was driving down here to sign. He told them no, that it was done and his mind and heart was set on it.”
“He has been a breath of fresh air. Are we lucky to have him? Yeah, but he wanted to come, play games and prove himself.”
That is perhaps the key reason why Woodman opted for Preston over a number of top-flight clubs. At Deepdale, regular first-team opportunities were within his grasp. Had Woodman opted to stay in the Premier League, it’s likely he’d have played a back-up role.
“He said something to me when he signed, which I won’t repeat, but I thought ‘wow’ straight away,” adds former Plymouth Argyle coach Lowe.
“It told me the type of character he is and what a good goalkeeper he is. I am hoping that what he said comes true and I’m hoping he can be Preston North End’s number one for many years to come.”
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