5 Sol Brynn upgrades Middlesbrough can't miss out on | OneFootball

The 25-year-old's costly error in the Championship play-off final is proving hard to overlook

FLW takes a look at five goalkeepers Middlesbrough should consider as potential replacements for Sol Brynn.

This comes in the wake of the 25‑year‑old’s costly error in the Championship play‑off final against Hull City, a moment that ultimately defined Boro’s season.

Deep into stoppage time, Brynn failed to hold onto a cross, allowing the ball to drop perfectly for Oli McBurnie to stab home the only goal of the game.

Across 46 Championship appearances, Brynn kept 13 clean sheets, which is a solid return in his first full campaign as the club's number one. But for many supporters on Teesside, that late mistake is proving hard to overlook.

Pierce Charles - Sheffield Wednesday

The 20-year-old Northern Ireland international looks set to depart Sheffield Wednesday this summer following their relegation to League One.

According to talkSPORT, Manchester City, who are keen to bring their former academy goalkeeper back to the Etihad, have been credited with interest in Charles.

While Scottish Premiership giants Rangers, who are managed by former Wednesday boss Danny Rohl, are also reportedly in the frame.

Middlesbrough should be keeping a very close eye on how that situation develops. If the Premier League club holds back and a move to Ibrox fails to materialise, Charles could be available for a decent fee.

Sam Tickle - Wigan Athletic

Sam Tickle has been one of League One's standout performers for the past three seasons, yet he remains at Wigan Athletic, for now.

The 24-year-old England youth international played all 46 third tier games for the Latics this season, keeping 13 clean sheets and making 121 saves.

QPR are leading the race for his signature, according to journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon, with a fee of between £1.5m and £2m understood to be enough to get a deal done.

Middlesbrough should be all over this one. The reported fee represents very good value for a Championship club. At his age, Tickle is more than ready to step up and prove himself in the second tier.

Radek Vitek - Manchester United

The 22-year-old Czech Republic goalkeeper joined Bristol City on loan from Manchester United last summer and was one of the Championship's most consistent performers, registering 12 clean sheets across 41 appearances with a save percentage of 71.3%.

At the Robins' end-of-season awards, Vitek took all the big ones home - winning Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year.

With Senne Lammens seemingly established as United's first choice at Old Trafford, another loan move appears the most likely outcome for Vitek next season - and Boro must be doing everything in their power to be at the front of that queue.

Oliver Dovin - Coventry City

Oliver Dovin joined Coventry City from Hammarby in the summer of 2024 for an undisclosed fee and, when fit, demonstrated exactly why the Sky Blues made him their top priority.

The Sweden international featured in 30 Championship matches, making 69 saves, before suffering a ruptured ACL against Sheffield United in March 2025.

Hellberg, of course, previously worked with Dovin at Hammarby, so that’d give him valuable first‑hand knowledge of the keeper.

Given Coventry’s promotion, a loan would perhaps be the most realistic route for a Swedish international of his potential to get back up to speed.

Anthony Patterson - Sunderland

The final name on this list, Anthony Patterson, is arguably the most expensive. He is set to depart Sunderland permanently this summer after spending the second half of the season on loan at Millwall.

The 26-year-old has been one of the Championship's most reliable goalkeepers for several seasons, making 163 appearances for Sunderland and playing a key role in their rise from League One to the Premier League.

Now, according to Sky Sports' Keith Downie, Wolves, Millwall and Wrexham are all understood to be eyeing a move - with the Black Cats willing to listen to offers of “at least” £8m.

Yes, Patterson would be expensive, but Middlesbrough should really consider him as an option to replace Brynn next season.