Walsall have confirmed the signing of former West Ham United goalkeeper Tom Wooster, who arrives at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on an initial one-year deal.21-year old Wooster becomes the Saddlers' thirteenth signing of the summer, and will provide competition for fellow 'keepers Jed Ward and Jenson Kilroy.
Born in Barnsley, Tom is a young and agile goalkeeper who has represented England at both U15 and U16s level and described as having great distribution skills and a real eagerness to develop.
He began his career at Oakwell with Barnsley and rose through the ranks of his hometown club, displaying a great attitude throughout the process.
Wooster received worthy recognition for an excellent final season at Barnsley and was named the club’s Academy Player of the Season before he departed and earned himself a move to Manchester United in 2020.
During his time at Old Trafford, he featured heavily for United's U18s before progressing to the U21s setup and gaining valuable experience along the way, including silverware success for the U18s with the FA Youth Cup in the 2021/22 season before going on to sign his first professional contract.
After penning his first deal, Wooster continued to make more great strides as a goalkeeper and headed out on loan to gain further experience, beginning with Ramsbottom United in February 2023.
After his return to the U21s squad, the youngster headed out on loan once more with Macclesfield Town in February 2024 at the age of 18 in what was another beneficial loan spell as part of his development.
The 2024/25 season saw Wooster head out on loan once again but on this occasion he linked up with Farsley Celtic to taste his first experience of senior football, making 11 appearances in total in National League North before returning to Old Trafford in January of last year.
After a four-and-a-half year spell with the Red Devils, Tom was released ahead of the start of last season but soon found a new home in the form of West Ham United where he would go on to make fourteen appearances across all competitions, before being released in July.
Speaking via the club's official website, Head Coach Lee Grant admitted he's delighted to secure Tom's services, he said: "I'm pleased to add Tom to the squad.
"He's someone I am familiar with, having crossed paths during my playing career at Manchester United, and he's really eager to show what he is all about.
"He's young, athletic and an individual who will no doubt provide great competition for both Jed and Jenson throughout the season in the goalkeeping department.
During his time at Old Trafford, he featured heavily for United's U18s before progressing to the U21s setup and gaining valuable experience along the way, including silverware success for the U18s with the FA Youth Cup in the 2021/22 season before going on to sign his first professional contract.
After penning his first deal, Wooster continued to make more great strides as a goalkeeper and headed out on loan to gain further experience, beginning with Ramsbottom United in February 2023.
After his return to the U21s squad, the youngster headed out on loan once more with Macclesfield Town in February 2024 at the age of 18 in what was another beneficial loan spell as part of his development.
The 2024/25 season saw Wooster head out on loan once again but on this occasion he linked up with Farsley Celtic to taste his first experience of senior football, making 11 appearances in total in National League North before returning to Old Trafford in January of last year.
After a four-and-a-half year spell with the Red Devils, Tom was released ahead of the start of last season but soon found a new home in the form of West Ham United where he would go on to make fourteen appearances across all competitions, before being released in July.
Speaking via the club's official website, Head Coach Lee Grant admitted he's delighted to secure Tom's services, he said: "I'm pleased to add Tom to the squad.
"He's someone I am familiar with, having crossed paths during my playing career at Manchester United, and he's really eager to show what he is all about.
"He's young, athletic and an individual who will no doubt provide great competition for both Jed and Jenson throughout the season in the goalkeeping department.
"He's already integrated into the group well after a few training sessions, and I'm looking forward to seeing him develop under our guidance."