Coventry City have completed the permanent signing of goalkeeper Carl Rushworth from Brighton & Hove Albion. The 25-year-old joined Coventry following a successful loan spell at the CBS Arena, where he played every league game last season, keeping 17 clean sheets and helping the club win the Championship and clinch promotion to the Premier League after a 25-year absence [1, 2, 3].
Rushworth had been contracted to Brighton since 2019, having signed from Halifax Town, but never made a senior appearance for the Seagulls. Instead, he spent seven years on loan at six different clubs before joining Coventry for the 2025–2026 season [1, 2, 3].
Financial details of the transfer were not officially disclosed, but British media outlets reported Coventry paid between £22 million and £22.5 million to secure Rushworth's services permanently [1, 2, 3].
Expressing his relief and excitement at making the move permanent, Rushworth said, "I'm really happy, there's so many emotions that I've got. There's excitement, I can finally relax knowing it's done and that I'm back with the boys and at a club I loved being at." He added, "I'm excited to have this new challenge in the Premier League and to be able to call this place home is a big thing I've been looking forward to" [1, 2].
Coventry manager Frank Lampard praised Rushworth’s influence last season. "It's great to have Carl back with us on a permanent basis. He's a top professional, a great character and he had a huge impact on the team to help us get promoted last season," Lampard said [1].
Coventry City are set to begin their Premier League campaign away at Arsenal on August 21, 2026 [2, 3].
