With the summer transfer window, starting to ramp up, Leyton Orient may be looking to sign a goalkeeper to battle it out for the number one shirt with Sam Howes, but who should they target?
It was a solid first season back in League One for the O’s finishing in 11th place. With manager Richie Wellens signing a new three-year contract on May 1st, Leyton Orient will now be looking to improve the playing squad with a goalkeeper most likely being high on the list, with the expiry of Sol Brynn’s loan from Middlesbrough.
With that in mind, we can take a look at five potential goalkeepers that the O’s can target this summer.
Sol Brynn – Middlesbrough
The first player, on this list is a possible return on loan for Sol Brynn. The 23-year-old goalkeeper had his first taste of League One football with Leyton Orient last season, playing in 42 matches last season making a total of 111 saves, with a save percentage of 71.4%.
While, Sol had a difficult end to the season, with a couple of mistakes leading to goals, he had a really strong first season for the level making some pivotal saves in games such as Portsmouth away where he saved a penalty from Colby Bishop.
There looks to be extremely good goalkeeping competition at Middlesbrough for next season, with Seny Dieng, Thomas Glover, and Zach Hemming as well as Sol being contracted, so Sol could be keen to have another loan spell away from the Riverside.
Lawrence Vigouroux – Burnley
Utilizing, the former Orient connection, Lawrence left the O’s after promotion from League Two, (22/23 season), signing for Premier League side Burnley upon their promotion to the Premier League.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper has appeared in five-match day squads in the Premier League but is yet to make an appearance for the Clarets across any competition.
Therefore, Burnley may be looking to send a goalkeeper out on loan, but again this is dependent on what happens with their contracted goalkeepers (Muric and Trafford)
A real fan favourite in his time with Orient, a goalkeeper who appeared in League Two Team of the Season also winning the Golden Glove in the 22/23 season, offers great competency with his feet as well as being a really good shot-stopper.
Arthur Okonkwo – Arsenal
The third player, on this list is 22-year-old Arthur Okonkwo, who has been released by Arsenal ahead of the 2024/24 campaign.
The goalkeeper has had senior loan spells at Sturm Graz, Crewe, and most notably at Wrexham last season, where he won goalkeeper of the season in League Two.
Arthur conceded just 34 goals last season, from an xGC (expected goal conceded) of 42.3. His short distribution is extremely strong, especially coming through an Arsenal academy, while his long distribution needs work being only 22 this is something that can be worked on.
In total last season Arthur, played 36 times in League Two, keeping 14 clean sheets as well as being capped at England U18s level.
Callum Burton – Plymouth
The next goalkeeper, on this list is Callum Burton, who has recently been released by Plymouth after they survived on the final day in the Championship.
Burton was mainly the third-choice keeper, for Plymouth last season, after Cooper’s return from injury but played a fundamental part in Plymouth’s promotion-winning campaign appearing in 18 games during the season as well as being the number one during Cambridge United’s promotion from Sky Bet League Two.
Burton offers good distribution, tends not to dwell on the ball, and sets up counterattacks, he is confident in being the sweeper keeper and confidence coming for crosses.
Owen Goodman – Crystal Palace
The last goalkeeper on this list is 20-year-old Owen Goodman, who according to TransferMarkt is set to become a free agent this summer.
Last season, he experienced his first senior loan with Colchester United, conceding 64 goals from 67 xGC. Owen, born in Harold Wood, makes sense geographically, as he will not have to move being local to the club already.
Owen does have some work to do in commanding his area, but his distribution is excellent, setting up quick counterattacks as well as shifting his feet quickly to make reflex saves.
O’s fans, would you take any of these players in the summer or do you think it’ll be another name that arrives?