Four Free Agent Keepers Plymouth Argyle Could Target

Wayne Rooney has confirmed that Plymouth Argyle are actively pursuing the signing of a free agent goalkeeper ahead of their important Championship fixture against league leaders Sunderland this Saturday at Home Park.

The move comes in the wake of Conor Hazard undergoing ankle surgery earlier this week, ruling the Northern Ireland international out of action for the next 10-12 weeks. Hazard’s absence leaves Rooney with limited options in goal, as Dan Grimshaw, who was signed from Blackpool late in the summer window, is set to make his league debut.

Currently, the only other goalkeeper available in the squad is 19-year-old Zak Baker, who has yet to make his first-team debut for the Pilgrims. Given the lack of experienced options, Rooney is eager to add a new face to his goalkeeping department.

Speaking in a press conference, Rooney provided an update on the club’s efforts: “We are hoping to have someone in for Saturday. We have got until 12 o’clock tomorrow to get a keeper registered. We are quite close on that but not over the line yet.”

Rooney also highlighted the importance of having multiple goalkeepers in the squad, not just for match availability but for training purposes as well. “There are not many [available],” Rooney admitted. “We were looking at one anyway, to be honest, because I think that’s really important. Not just for keepers being available to play but also for your training sessions. I think you need three or four keepers to be able to do what you want to do in training.”

With the transfer window closed, clubs can still sign free agents, and Plymouth are hopeful of completing a deal ahead of their key encounter with Sunderland. However, who might they sign? Rooney says there are few available, but we’ve found five who might fit the bill.

Here are four free-agent goalkeepers Plymouth Argyle could consider signing, including three with experience in England:

Jonathan Mitchell

Jonathan Mitchell began his career at Newcastle United’s youth academy before moving to Derby County. While at Derby, Mitchell found most of his playing time on loan at several lower-league clubs, including Oxford United, Luton Town, and Shrewsbury Town. After leaving Derby, he signed with Northampton Town, where he made 23 appearances, and later played for Harrogate Town in League Two. Known for his reflexes and positioning, Mitchell brings experience and reliability to any squad. At 29, he is still in his prime as a goalkeeper and would offer a solid option for Plymouth as they seek depth in goal

Lee Camp

Lee Camp is a seasoned goalkeeper who has enjoyed a long career across various English clubs. He has played for Derby County, Nottingham Forest, and Birmingham City, among others. With over 500 career appearances, Camp is known for his leadership on and off the pitch. His wealth of experience in the Championship and League One would make him a valuable addition to Plymouth’s squad, even at 39. While his best years may be behind him, Camp could offer excellent cover and a guiding presence to younger players

Kristoffer Klaesson

Kristoffer Klaesson is a Norwegian goalkeeper who most recently played for Leeds United in the Premier League. Klaesson joined Leeds in 2021 after developing at Vålerenga, a top-flight Norwegian club where he made over 50 appearances. At Leeds, Klaesson was primarily a backup goalkeeper but gained valuable experience training in a Premier League environment. A move to Poland didn’t work out; he supposedly arrived overweight and was released after being spotted in a McDonalds. Known for his agility and shot-stopping ability, Klaesson is still young and has significant potential to develop further. His exposure to top-tier football makes him an appealing option for Plymouth.

Loris Karius

Loris Karius rose to prominence as a talented young goalkeeper during his time at Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga. He later joined Liverpool in 2016, where he made 49 appearances. Karius’ time at Liverpool was marked by highs and lows, including a difficult Champions League final in 2018. After loan spells at Beşiktaş and Union Berlin, Karius was most recently at Newcastle United, where he served as a backup. Karius remains a free agent and, at 30 years old, still has plenty of years left in his career. His experience in high-pressure situations would make him an interesting option for Plymouth.