A report from Football League World has revealed that 25-year-old Fleetwood Town goalkeeper David Harrington is being eyed by Championship club Preston North End, whilst EFL League One sides Bolton Wanderers, Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic remain admirers of the Wales international.
North End, who finished last season in 20th avoiding relegation by a solitary point, have already strengthened in the goalkeeping department this summer, replacing Liverpool bound Freddie Woodman with former Leicester man Daniel Iversen. However, reports suggest Paul Heckingbottom is still interested in bringing a new backup goalkeeper to the Lancashire club.
A deal is far from sealed, however, and the Lilywhites face stiff competition in their bid to bring the young keeper to the club.
Who Is David Harrington?
Irish born but a Welsh international, 25-year-old Harrington joined Fleetwood Town in January 2023, signing a deal that runs until the end of the 2025/26 season.
A six-figure switch to Premier League side Everton had been on the cards for the Cork City stopper, but a shoulder injury scuppered the deal, leaving the door open for the then EFL League One club to secure his services.
Harrington made 21 appearances in all competitions for the Fylde Coast side last season after a long-term injury limited him to one EFL League One appearance the season prior. Despite starting the Cod Army’s 20 opening EFL League Two games, the keeper once again suffered a season ending injury in a 2-0 home win against Chesterfield and hasn’t featured since.
Other EFL League One Interest
Bolton find themselves in a similar position to PNE following the arrival of Chelsea loanee Teddy Sharman-Lowe, whilst rivals Wigan may be on the search for a new number one should Sam Tickle depart the club in this window.
Cardiff possess two goalkeepers in their squad capable of competing for the number one shirt in Jak Alnwick and Ethan Horvath, but reports suggest an exit could be on the cards for at least one.
Reports in the USA suggest Horvath is expected to depart, with the chance to represent his country in a home world cup motivating his desire to play at a higher level. This could open an opportunity for a new keeper to offer competition to Alnwick as the Bluebirds look to bounce straight back to the EFL Championship.
Horvath is not the only keeper who will have one eye on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Harrington himself is said to be keen to be playing at a higher level, following his surprise inclusion in Wales’s squad last November.
Whilst the 25-year-old did not make an appearance for Bellamy’s team, regular game-time at a higher level could help him force his way into the manager’s thinking ahead of the tournament, should Wales qualify.
Although North End, Bolton and Wigan may offer a local option to the Fleetwood Town keeper, as well as EFL Championship football in the case of PNE, the thought of playing under the watchful eye of Bellamy at Cardiff may twist the ambitious young keeper’s arm.
