Walsall loanee Carl Rushworth has joined Coventry City for a club record fee. The 25-year-old goalkeeper spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Walsall, registering 12 clean sheets in 46 games across all competitions. Rushworth won the Championship golden glove with 17 clean sheets last term, as Coventry City secured a return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years, after winning the league title.
What happened?
Rushworth has joined Coventry City for a club record fee from Brighton & Hove Albion. The initial fee is £22.5million, although it could rise to £30million in add-ons. Brighton have also inserted a sell-on clause and buy-back option as part of the deal.
Why it matters for Walsall
Walsall finished 16th in League Two at the end of Rushworth's only season with the club, but he was a standout performer between the sticks. His departure will be a blow to the Saddlers, who will need to find a replacement for the experienced goalkeeper.
What comes next?
Next fixture: vs Barnet (away, 2027-02-27) (14th in the table). Walsall will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing season, and the arrival of a new goalkeeper could be just what they need to turn their fortunes around. However, the loss of Rushworth will be a significant blow to the team's chances of promotion.
