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Ex-Saints star Niemi calls it a day
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| Antti Niemi |
FORMER Saints goalkeeper Antti Niemi has announced his retirement from football.
The 36-year-old Finland international has been at Fulham since leaving St Mary's in January 2006.
Previously, he was with Rangers and Hearts, spending almost 11 years in the British game following his move from FC Copenhagen.
Niemi made 62 appearances during his two and half years at Craven Cottage and also earned 67 international caps.
Niemi revealed he had planned to end his career at the end of his current contract which runs out next summer.
However, a wrist injury meant he would not be able to resume training for another two months, prompting the player to bring his retirement forward in agreement with the club.
Niemi also revealed he hopes to be involved in coaching Finland at some point but intends to spend time with his family in the immediate future.
Niemi, who starred for Saints under Gordon Strachan after being signed from Hearts for £2m in August 2002, said: "I would like to thank everyone because it's really been a privilege playing in Britain.
"I don't think people here realise how wonderful the atmosphere is and what football means to people.
"When you come from abroad to a different culture, it really strikes you. The pressure is amazing; every single game feels like a big game.
"The atmosphere at games was one of my favourite things.
"Even if sometimes you'd hear things coming from behind the goal, it's fine.
"British people have a great sense of humour, they come to the games, support their teams and it really is special for any foreign player."
1:44pm Wednesday 3rd September 2008
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CommentPosted by: James, Soton on 1:54pm Wed 3 Sep 08
A good man and a good player. All the best to him in the future.
A good man and a good player. All the best to him in the future.
Posted by: Saint on 1:58pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Rupert and Jan pull your finger and and sign him now on the coaching staff!
Rupert and Jan pull your finger and and sign him now on the coaching staff!
Posted by: the vengeful cabbage on 2:40pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Does this mean he's Finnished?
Does this mean he's Finnished?
Posted by: Fat Chance on 2:56pm Wed 3 Sep 08
[quote][bold]Saint[/bold] wrote:
Rupert and Jan pull your finger and and sign him now on the coaching staff![/quote] Probably fair to say that Lowe and Niemi didn't part on the best of terms due to the treatment of David Coles, so I very much doubt he would come back now.
Saint wrote:
Rupert and Jan pull your finger and and sign him now on the coaching staff!
Probably fair to say that Lowe and Niemi didn't part on the best of terms due to the treatment of David Coles, so I very much doubt he would come back now.
Posted by: Ricardo Dawkins, Oxbridge on 10:35pm Wed 3 Sep 08
[quote][bold]the vengeful cabbage[/bold] wrote:
Does this mean he's Finnished?[/quote] If there is a God you are going to regret that pun for eternity.
the vengeful cabbage wrote:
Does this mean he's Finnished?
If there is a God you are going to regret that pun for eternity.
Posted by: Mr Sport is Sport, In the toilet with a hard on 7:34am Thu 4 Sep 08
He did have a choice to come back to saints he choose to retire. Wise Man.
He did have a choice to come back to saints he choose to retire. Wise Man.
Posted by: j martin, saudi on 7:55am Thu 4 Sep 08
[quote][bold]Mr Sport is Sport[/bold] wrote:
He did have a choice to come back to saints he choose to retire. Wise Man.[/quote] You are very sad,
Havnt you got a football team to watch.
There must be something GAY for you to do.you sound very femanin/and boring.
Mr Sport is Sport wrote:
He did have a choice to come back to saints he choose to retire. Wise Man.
You are very sad,
Havnt you got a football team to watch.
There must be something GAY for you to do.you sound very femanin/and boring.
Posted by: Ray, Eastlleigh on 9:45am Thu 4 Sep 08
As he's injured I would have thought our new talent scout woopert would sign him as a player, that seems to be the norm at the moment ;-)
As he's injured I would have thought our new talent scout woopert would sign him as a player, that seems to be the norm at the moment ;-)
Posted by: told you so, dell on 4:14pm Thu 4 Sep 08
[quote][bold]James[/bold] wrote:
A good man and a good player. All the best to him in the future.[/quote] Here! Here!
James wrote:
A good man and a good player. All the best to him in the future.
Here! Here!
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