Coventry City fill goalkeeper vacancy as talent steps up
Coventry City transfer news from CoventryLive as the Sky Blues move to strengthen the club’s development squad with the signing of a new goalkeeper
Coventry City have strengthened their Under-21s squad with the signing of Fulham goalkeeper Oscar Varney on a free transfer.
The 18-year-old was one of 13 players released by the Premier League club this summer but the player has impressed Sky Blues coaches to earn a two year deal at the CBS Arena.
City let go development stopper Cian Tyler themselves during the close season, while fellow goalkeeper Luke Bell steps up and has been training with Frank Lampard’s first team during pre-season.
A club statement read: “We are delighted to confirm the arrival of goalkeeper Oscar Varney.
“The 18-year-old will link-up with Coventry City’s Under-21s side, as he puts pen-to-paper on a two-year deal, following his departure from Premier League side Fulham.
“The shot-stopper has risen through the ranks in West London, having spent several years in the academy of the Cottagers.
“Varney’s move to the Sky Blues sees the ‘keeper sign his first professional contract, following the conclusion of his scholarship with Fulham.
“Oscar will now begin work with Mark Delaney’s Under-21s side, ahead of the Professional Development League commencing.”
After signing a scholarship deal in the summer of 2023, Varney made his U21 debut in October 2023, going on as a late substitute in a 4-0 victory over Leicester City in a Premier League Cup match and, in doing so, he became the first Fulham player to play for the U21 squad before making an appearance for the U18 squad.
Nearly five months later he made his U18 debut when keeping a clean sheet in a 5-0 win over Norwich City U18 at Motspur Park.
Exclusive: Coventry City striker who has “shown signs of Viktor Gyokeres” backed to seal Sky Blues loan exit
Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that a loan move for Coventry City frontman Norman Bassette this upcoming season is the best way for the 20-year-old to maximise his progress in 2025/26.
Bassette has been utilised mainly from the bench during his first season at the CBS Arena following his arrival from Ligue 2 side Caen last summer, starting just eleven times in the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
| Norman Bassette’s appearance splits in 24/25 Championship season, per Transfermarkt | |
| Games Started | 11 |
| Games Coming off the Bench | 14 |
| Games as an Unused Substitute | 12 |
| Games not in the squad | 7 |
Paying between £2.1 and £2.98 million for him last summer, the young Belgian frontman, who made his senior debut for his national team in November last year, was brought in as someone who could contribute at a decent level now but has the potential to explode into a prolific striker in front of goal in the future.
Lee Hendrie makes Norman Bassette, Coventry City claim – Viktor Gyokeres referenced
Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes that Bassette has clear similarities to Viktor Gyokeres, who tore Championship defences apart at Coventry during his time in the Championship.
But Hendrie does believe that he could do with a season away from the CBS Arena at a side that will give him more regular starts, which would put him in a good position to come back and hit the ground running at his parent club.
“I really liked him when I saw him play at times last season for Coventry. He’s shown signs of Viktor Gyokeres when he came onto the scene there,” Hendrie said when asked about Norman Bassette when speaking exclusively with FLW.
High praise from the Sky Sports pundit, as many regard the imperious Swede as one of, if not the best, current strikers in the world.
Gyokeres has scored 97 times in 102 Sporting appearances, but he made his name in the Championship beforehand with Coventry, and if Bassette can be nearly as good, then the Sky Blues once again have a generational talent on their hands.
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