Former Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley goalkeeper 'set' for Championship move after Derby County exit
Former Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith is reportedly set to join West Bromwich Albion after leaving Derby County.
Wildsmith enjoyed a stellar 2023/24 campaign, shining between the sticks as Derby sealed promotion from League One in second place. However, he did not follow the Rams into the Championship and instead became a free agent.
According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, he is set to join West Brom on a free transfer. The Baggies reached the Championship play-offs last season but missed out on a place in the final to Southampton.
If Wildsmith does indeed move to The Hawthorns, he would most likely be vying with Alex Palmer for the number one jersey. Palmer was the club’s first-choice stopper last season, appearing in all 46 of their Championship fixtures.
West Brom also have a highly-rated young stopper in their ranks in Josh Griffiths. A former England under-21 international, he is well thought of but reports have indicated he will be sent out on loan.
Wildsmith will be hoping to make the step up to Championship level if a deal is done, having failed to nail down a regular starting spot in his Wednesday days.
Although he had spells as the number one at Hillsborough, his place could not be sustained and few were surprised to see him depart for Pride Park in 2022.
Wildsmith also counts Barnsley among his former clubs, having spent time on loam at Oakwell in 2015. He had been linked with a return to the club but Barnsley have instead signed Jackson Smith from Walsall.