Coventry's £22m gamble for Brighton Golden Glove keeper

Facing the step up to the Premier League, Coventry City have turned to a proven shot‑stopper, sealing the signing of 25‑year‑old Carl Rushworth from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported club‑record £22 million, a move designed to plug a goal‑keeping gap for the Sky Blues.

The fee, undisclosed publicly, is said to be a club‑record for Coventry, while the length of Rushworth’s long‑term contract remains confidential. The move is presented as a strategic investment to secure a goalkeeper ready for Premier League demands.

The Brighton Golden Glove keeper arrives as the Sky Blues look to plug a goal‑keeping gap ahead of top‑flight competition.

Rushworth featured in all 46 of Coventry’s league matches last season, keeping 17 clean sheets, underpinning the Sky Blues’ defensive stability throughout the Championship campaign.

His consistency earned him the Championship’s Golden Glove Award for the 2025‑26 season, reflecting his pivotal part in Coventry’s title‑winning run that ended a 25‑year wait to return to the Premier League.

"Frank Lampard welcomed the permanent signing, calling Rushworth a top professional with great character who had a huge impact on the team’s promotion," the manager said. "Lampard added that having Carl back on a permanent basis strengthens the squad."

Rushworth never made a senior appearance for Brighton, having spent six loan spells over seven years after joining from his hometown club Halifax Town in 2019, with a decisive loan at the CBS Arena proving key to his development.

For Coventry, the deal provides a proven Premier League‑ready goalkeeper as they prepare for top‑flight challenges, while Brighton receive a record fee for a player who has not featured for their first team, potentially allowing the club to reinvest the sum.