Freddie Woodman: From Swansea and Preston North End to Liverpool

Freddie Woodman’s career has taken him from promising academy prospect to seasoned Championship goalkeeper, with spells at both Swansea City and Preston North End before a recent move to Liverpool. As the Swans prepare to face Preston, Woodman’s journey offers a timely reflection on a player who wore both shirts with distinction.

Woodman spent two seasons on loan at Swansea City, playing a key role in consecutive play-off campaigns. After a brief stint at Bournemouth, he joined Preston North End in 2022, where he became a regular starter and made over 120 league appearances. In 2025, he signed for Liverpool and made his debut in the EFL Cup against Crystal Palace.

This article traces Woodman’s path from his early years through each stage of his professional career, focusing on his time at Swansea and Preston, and considering what might lie ahead for a goalkeeper entering his prime.

🧒 The Early Years

Frederick John Woodman was born on 4 March 1997 in Croydon, South London. His upbringing was steeped in football culture. His father, Andy Woodman, was a professional goalkeeper with over 400 Football League appearances and later became a goalkeeping coach. Gareth Southgate, a close family friend, was also part of his early football environment.

Woodman’s first exposure to football came through Crystal Palace, the club he supported as a child. He joined their academy at the age of 14, having already acted as a ball boy and mascot at Selhurst Park. His entry into the academy was facilitated by a coach who also taught at his secondary school and recognised his potential.

The family’s footballing background provided both mentorship and opportunity. In 2013, Woodman moved to Newcastle United’s academy, where his father had taken up a coaching role. This transition marked the beginning of his professional journey, but the roots of his career were firmly planted in a household where football was a constant presence.

⚫ Newcastle United

Freddie Woodman joined Newcastle United’s academy in 2013, stepping into a Premier League environment at the age of 16. He signed his first professional contract the following year and quickly became part of England’s youth setup, winning the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2014 and the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2017, where he received the Golden Glove award.

Despite his international success, first-team opportunities at Newcastle were limited. He made his senior debut in January 2018 in an FA Cup tie against Luton Town, a 3–1 win at St James’ Park. That appearance remained his only competitive outing for the club’s senior side.

Over the next few seasons, Woodman was sent out on multiple loan spells to gain experience. His time at Newcastle was defined more by development and international recognition than by first-team action, but it provided the platform for the next phase of his career.

🧳 Loan Spells: Hartlepool, Crawley, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen

Between 2015 and 2018, Freddie Woodman spent time on loan at four different clubs across England and Scotland, each offering valuable experience and exposure to senior football.

His first loan came in 2015 at Hartlepool United, where he made 12 appearances in League Two. The following year, he joined Crawley Town, adding another 11 league appearances to his record. These early spells helped him adjust to the physical demands and pace of senior football.

In 2017, Woodman moved north to join Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership, making 15 appearances and earning praise for his performances. Later that year, he signed a short-term loan with Aberdeen, where he featured in five matches, including Europa League qualifiers.

These four loan spells in four years gave Woodman a broad range of experiences across different leagues and competitive environments. While none were long-term stays, each contributed to his development and readiness for higher-level opportunities.

🦢 Swansea City

Freddie Woodman joined Swansea City on loan from Newcastle United in July 2019. His first season coincided with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the Championship campaign and forced matches behind closed doors. Woodman made 43 appearances in all competitions, helping Swansea reach the play-off semi-finals, where they were narrowly beaten by Brentford over two legs.

Despite the disappointment, Woodman returned for a second season-long loan in 2020–21. With stadiums still largely empty due to ongoing restrictions, he played a key role in a campaign that saw Swansea finish fourth and reach the play-off final. Woodman kept 21 clean sheets in the league and was awarded the Championship Golden Glove.

In the semi-final against Barnsley, Woodman made crucial saves across both legs to help Swansea secure a place at Wembley. The final, however, ended in defeat. Brentford scored twice in the opening 20 minutes, including a penalty conceded by Woodman and converted by Ivan Toney. Swansea were unable to recover, and a red card for Jay Fulton in the second half sealed their fate.

Woodman made 88 league appearances across his two seasons at the Liberty Stadium. His performances were consistent and well-regarded, and he spoke openly about his connection to the club and the city. In interviews, he described Swansea as a place where football felt deeply rooted in the community, and where he felt supported both on and off the pitch.

🧤 Bournemouth and Preston North End

After two full seasons at Swansea City, Freddie Woodman returned to Newcastle United for the 2021–22 campaign. In January 2022, he joined AFC Bournemouth on loan for the remainder of the season. However, opportunities were limited, and he made just one appearance for the club, a 1–1 draw against Peterborough United in the Championship.

That summer, Woodman made a permanent move to Preston North End, signing in June 2022. He was immediately installed as first-choice goalkeeper and made his debut in a goalless draw away at Wigan Athletic on the opening day of the 2022–23 season. Over the next three years, he became a consistent presence between the posts at Deepdale, making 127 league appearances and keeping 44 clean sheets.

Woodman’s performances were recognised at the end of his first season when he was named Preston’s Player of the Year. His reliability, shot-stopping ability, and calm distribution made him a key figure in the squad. He featured in 46, 44, and 37 league games respectively across his three seasons, rarely missing a match and providing stability in goal during a period of transition for the club.

His contract expired in the summer of 2025, bringing an end to a productive spell in Lancashire and opening the door to a new opportunity at the top level.

🔴 Liverpool and the World of a Third-Choice Goalkeeper

Freddie Woodman joined Liverpool in July 2025 on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Preston North End. His arrival was low profile, intended to strengthen the club’s depth with an experienced, homegrown option. At 28, Woodman brought over 270 senior appearances and a reputation for consistency in the Championship.

Initially, his role was limited to training at the AXA Training Centre and warming up on matchdays. With Alisson sidelined by injury and Giorgi Mamardashvili due a rest, Woodman was handed his competitive debut in the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Crystal Palace. The match ended in a 3–0 defeat, with Ismaila Sarr scoring twice and Yeremy Pino adding a third.

Despite the result, Woodman’s selection reflected Liverpool’s trust in his experience and professionalism. He spoke about the significance of the opportunity, describing it as “unbelievable” and highlighting the importance of the competition to the club. His move to Liverpool came after a message from sporting director Richard Hughes while Woodman was on holiday with his family.

His current role mirrors that of other third-choice goalkeepers at top clubs, training regularly, supporting the squad, and stepping in when needed. While appearances may be rare, the position demands readiness and composure, especially in cup competitions.

🔗 Read more: Freddie Woodman to Liverpool – the life of a third choice goalkeeper

⏳ What Next?

At 28, Freddie Woodman finds himself at a crossroads. His move to Liverpool has placed him in the role of third-choice goalkeeper, a position that offers limited playing time but proximity to elite-level football. With Alisson and Mamardashvili ahead of him in the pecking order, opportunities for regular minutes are likely to remain scarce.

Woodman’s career to date has been defined by consistent performances in the Championship and recognition at youth international level. He has shown the ability to perform under pressure, particularly during play-off campaigns with Swansea City and his extended run at Preston North End. These experiences suggest he is capable of more than a supporting role.

As a goalkeeper, Woodman is entering what is traditionally considered the prime years of his career. The next move will depend on his priorities, whether he values the environment and stability of a top Premier League club or seeks regular football elsewhere. With his contract at Liverpool still in its early stages, the coming months may offer clarity on his long-term trajectory.

Freddie Woodman’s career has spanned youth international honours, Championship consistency, and a recent step into the Premier League. His time at Swansea City and Preston North End marked him as a reliable and composed presence in goal, while his move to Liverpool reflects the value placed on experience and professionalism at the highest level.

As Swansea prepare to face Preston, Woodman’s story offers a reminder of the connections between clubs and the journeys players take across divisions and roles. Whether starting every week or waiting for a chance, his path shows the range of a modern goalkeeper’s career, shaped by opportunity, timing, and the decisions still to come.