Wigan Athletic have completed the signing of goalkeeper Joe Whitworth from Crystal Palace on a three-year contract.
The 22-year-old arrives at the Brick Community Stadium following two seasons spent on loan with Exeter City, where he established himself as one of League One’s standout young goalkeepers.
Whitworth joins the Latics with considerable experience already under his belt, despite his relatively young age. He came through the academy at Crystal Palace after initially starting his youth career with AFC Wimbledon, progressing through the Eagles’ ranks before making his Premier League debut against Brighton & Hove Albion in March 2023.
That appearance made Whitworth Palace’s youngest-ever Premier League goalkeeper.
A proven League One goalkeeper
It was during his time at Exeter, however, that Whitworth really began to make a name for himself.
His first loan spell at St James Park came during the 2024/25 campaign, when he featured in all of Exeter’s league matches and produced a string of impressive performances.
Whitworth kept 16 clean sheets across the campaign and was rewarded by the Exeter supporters, being named their Player of the Season.
He returned to Devon for a second loan spell in 2025/26, again establishing himself as Exeter’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Across his two spells, Whitworth made 94 appearances for the Grecians.
There was also a rather memorable chapter in his second season when Exeter faced Manchester City in the FA Cup, suffering a 10-1 defeat at the Etihad.
Despite that result, Whitworth’s overall body of work at Exeter had already demonstrated why Palace had such high hopes for him.
Caldwell reunion
Whitworth’s move to Wigan also reunites him with Latics boss Gary Caldwell, who originally brought the goalkeeper to Exeter in 2024.
At the time, Caldwell highlighted Whitworth’s ability with the ball at his feet alongside his shot-stopping qualities.
“Joe is really good with his feet,” Caldwell said after bringing him to Exeter, while also describing him as a “fantastic shot-stopper”.
That familiarity could prove particularly useful as Whitworth settles into life at Wigan.
The goalkeeper has also represented England at youth level, earning caps for the U15, U16 and U18 sides during his development.
Competition for the number one shirt
Whitworth’s arrival also adds genuine competition for the Latics’ goalkeeping position.
He joins a Wigan squad that already has Joe Walsh, meaning Caldwell now has two young goalkeepers competing for the starting spot.
Rather than simply providing backup, Whitworth arrives with a significant amount of League One experience and a reputation built on his performances at Exeter.
For Wigan, the deal represents an opportunity to bring in a goalkeeper who has already demonstrated that he can perform consistently at this level, while still having plenty of room to develop.
And with a three-year contract, the Latics clearly see Whitworth as more than a short-term solution.
The move brings to an end Whitworth’s long association with Crystal Palace, where he progressed from academy prospect to first-team goalkeeper. Palace’s own records list him as their U21 Player of the Season in 2023/24, before he went on to win Exeter’s Player of the Season award the following campaign.
Now, the next chapter begins at the Brick Community Stadium.
Joe Whitworth is a Wigan Athletic player.