Premier League Goalkeeper Announced In Gateshead Double Signing

National League side Gateshead have completed the signing of Cork City midfielder Ben Worman and Chelsea goalkeeper Eddie Beach.

Concerns were growing at the National League club about the size of their squad going into their game with league leaders Chesterfield. They may be sitting one point off the playoffs with three games in hand, but they are going into their next game without five key players.

One of those players was goalkeeper Archie Mair, who was recalled from his loan spell by Norwich City and is on loan again with League Two Morecambe. Eddie Beach has been brought in on loan from Premier League Chelsea, and that seems to be a move to replace the outgoing Mair. The Welsh goalkeeper will be a familiar face that Chesterfield will be relieved not to see again after he saved two of their penalties for Notts County in the playoff final last season.

A midfielder is also on the missing list for Gateshead, with Ed Francis out for the foreseeable future following a fractured skull. The club have moved to sign Ben Worman from Cork City. The midfielder joined the Irish side on a free transfer last summer after leaving Cambridge United. His first-team debut for Cambridge United in November 2017 made him the youngest player to play for the League One outfit. The 22-year-old midfielder has 77 games on his resume to date, with 28 coming in League One.

20-year-old goalkeeper Beach has made eight appearances as part of the Chelsea youth team this season, conceding 19 goals. He has also played six times at under 21 level for Wales. He joined Chelsea from Southampton in the summer of 2022. This will be his second loan spell, having spent last season with Chelmsford.

Writer’s View

It will be a breath of relief for Gateshead to secure some signings after so many departures. Beach replacing a goalkeeper who is ready for a higher division is the most important signing here. Nevertheless, the work is not done, and there are still signings that need to be made by the National League outfit.