Who is Sam Tickle? Get to know the highly-rated goalkeeper who Arsenal are interested in ahead of transfer deadline day
Arsenal are still on the hunt for a goalkeeper or even two ahead of transfer deadline day and Sam Tickle is the latest possible target to emerge.
It’s been a strong summer for Arsenal, who have added quality and depth to the squad as they look to finally overtake Manchester City and claim the Premier League title for the first time in 20 years.
Mikel Merino became the latest signing
on Tuesday to add more options to Mikel Arteta’s midfield and he follows Riccardo Calafiori, Lucas Nygaard and David Raya to the club.
Raya signed permanently from Brentford after a successful loan spell last season and is the undisputed No.1 over Aaron Ramsdale.
The English goalkeeper may still depart the Emirates this summer but Arsenal want a replacement before he goes. Espanyol’s Joan Garcia is the top target.
However, Garcia isn’t the only goalkeeper the Gunners are after and now Sam Tickle has tickled their fancy.
But who is he? Well here’s all you need to know.
Who does Sam Tickle play for?
Sam Tickle is a goalkeeper who plays for Wigan Athletic in League One.
He first joined Wigan when he was just 10 years old and spent six years in their youth ranks before being released in the summer of 2018.
However, after impressing in the Cheshire Football League as he helped his side Pilkington finish top of the division, Wigan swooped back in to sign the prospect as a scholar.
Tickle made his first team debut in an EFL Trophy defeat to Crewe Alexandra in 202. However, still just a teenager, he had to wait for his big break in the first team, spending 2022 out on loan at non-league sides Nantwich Town and Warrington Rylands.
After returning and signing a new deal in 2023, Tickle made his league debut on the final day of the Championship season, keeping a clean sheet for his already-relegated side in a goalless draw against Rotherham.
Tickle was then handed the No.1 shirt ahead of the 2023/24 campaign as manager Shaun Maloney made him his first choice.
Tickle would go on to have a fine season, keeping 18 clean sheets as Wigan finished 12th despite an eight-point deduction, and became the first goalkeeper in thirteen years to win the Lactcis’ Player of the Season award.
He signed a new four-year contract in April amid rumours of interest from Championship clubs and now Arsenal appear to be circling.
