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Woodman Welcomes Darlow Arrival
Written by Newcastle Utd
England under-19 international shot-stopper Freddie Woodman is looking forward to working with new goalkeeper Karl Darlow next season
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
While Newcastle have yet to make their first signing of the summer - although it's surely only a matter of time following the appointment of new head coach Steve McClaren last week - there will already be at least two new players at St. James' Park next season: defender Jamaal Lascelles and goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
The highly-rated pair were both signed from Nottingham Forest last July before being loaned straight back to the Championship club, but they will join up with the Magpies for pre-season training at the start of next month.
Lascelles, 21, is an England under-21 international while Darlow, 24, the grandson of former Magpies forward Ken Leek, made 44 appearances in all competitions for Forest last season and will provide extra competition for Tim Krul, alongside Rob Elliot and teenage shot-stopper Freddie Woodman.
And rising star Woodman - who has just returned from international duty in Russia with England under-18s - is looking forward to working alongside Darlow next term.
"Karl's a great 'keeper," Woodman told nufc.co.uk. "I met him when he came up (to sign for the Club) and he's a really nice guy.
"He's played a lot of games in the Championship so it'll be a nice bit of competition to the goalkeepers here.
"There will be four of us next season and it should be a good challenge."
Woodman - who made his second-string debut for Newcastle as a 14-year-old - was on the bench 20 times for Newcastle last season as well as establishing himself as United's regular number one in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League.
And he believes Krul has helped him to improve his game, just as Steve Harper and Shay Given passed on their experience to the Dutchman in the past.
"I've got to say Tim has pushed me massively this season and I don't think I'd be in the place I am now without what he's done for me," Woodman said.
"Since I've been here, he's been top class. He's a really good mentor to look up to and he's helped me massively.
"The summer gives me a chance to sit down with the good people around me, like my dad, my mum, my sister and my agent, and speak about next season and what I want for next year.
"So I'm looking forward to getting a little plan and a little structure to what I want to do next season."