FREDDIE WOODMAN has left Newcastle United and made a permanent move to Championship side Preston.

The 25-year-old has moved for an undisclosed fee, bringing an end to his nine-year spell on Tyneside.

Woodman joined Newcastle as a teenager in 2013 having spent his formative years at Crystal Palace, and subsequently spent time out on loan at Hartlepool United, Crawley Town, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, Swansea City and Bournemouth.

He represented England from under-16 to under-21 level, winning the Under-17 European Championships in 2014 before lifting the Under-20 World Cup – and the tournament’s Golden Glove award – three years later.

The Londoner also won the Championship’s Golden Glove prize in recognition of his 20 clean sheets for Swansea during the 2020-21 campaign, before making his Premier League debut for the Magpies against West Ham United on the opening day of last season.

He started last season as Newcastle's first-choice goalkeeper, but lost his place in the squad once Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow returned from injury.

Speaking to Preston's official website, Woodman said: "I’m absolutely delighted. It’s been a while trying to get this over the line, but I’m delighted to be here and I feel very honoured to be joining such a fantastic football club and a football club that’s going in the right direction.

“I spoke to the manager, not that he had to sell the football club to me, but the way that he works, he’s very passionate and he spoke very highly of the club.

“Obviously I knew Marshy (Mike Marsh) coming here. He played a big part in me picking Preston over other clubs that I had offers from.

“But also myself, I’ve played against Preston and I’ve never had an easy day at Deepdale, and I want to come here and give these fans something that they deserve.”

Eddie Howe is overseeing a major overhaul of Newcastle's goalkeeping department this summer, with Darlow also expected to leave.

The Magpies are involved in talks aimed at signing England international Nick Pope, with a £12m deal having been discussed with officials at Burnley.