Archives for "Premier League Keeper News"
Edwin to sign new deal
Manchester United ’s veteran Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has confirmed that he has decided to sign a new contract to extend his playing career into his 40s.
The tall Dutch goalkeeper’s current deal expires at the end of this season and he has been offered a 12-month extension by Sir Alex.
Van der Sar has been mulling over his future at Old Trafford following suggestions he would head into retirement in the summer.
In today’s News of the World, he said: “I would like to keep on playing so I have decided to sign another contract.
“The club want me to stay and I’m happy here. My fitness is good and I feel I can carry on playing for United.”
“It’s been a hard time for all the family and when something like this happens it’s a tough situation,” he said.
“Luckily I was back in Holland when it happened because I was injured and it meant that I could be with her in hospital.
“It’s been a difficult period, but I’m happy things are improving at home.”
Stoke back in James talks
This morning sky sports news have reported that Stoke and Portsmouth are once again in talks over a loan move for stopper David James.
Stoke were hopeful of bringing in the England international goalkeeper earlier this month but later pulled out of a deal.
It emerged they were unhappy at being asked to pay all of James’ wages, with Pompey keen to ease their financial concerns.
However the two clubs have decided to resume talks sky sports news reports.
Stoke are looking to add James to their squad amid speculation about the future of their current No.1 Thomas Sorensen.
The 39-year-old James has struggled with injuries this season and not playing regularly for the remainder of the campaign could damage his chances of going to the World Cup.
Edwin set for United return
“Edwin has come back to training and has done very well,” said manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
“He has been out for a few weeks and it is great to see him back. He will give us so much experience when he eventually does come back, which is important to us.”
It depends how Edwin feels but he has been training very well,” said the United manager.
Ferguson also confirmed long-term absentees Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves continued to make progress in Qatar last week.
“They both took part in some work and Rio in particular is not too far away now,” he said.
Edwin has not played since the 3-0 defeat of Everton on 21 November last year.
Edwin has not played since the 3-0 defeat of Everton on 21 November last year.
Grant eager to keep James as Stoke Pull the plug
Portsmouth boss Avram Grant was in the dark over David James’ proposed move to Stoke.
James was expected to complete a loan move to the Britannia Stadium for the rest of the campaign on Friday, but talks reportedly broke down after the clubs failed to agree on what percentage of his wages Pompey should pay.
James is believed to be one of the highest-earning players at Fratton Park and cash-strapped Pompey’s owners were keen to get him off their wage bill.
But Grant says he was not asked about the possibility of letting the former Liverpool man join the Potters and has been surprised by talk of the 39-year-old’s departure.
“I must tell you honestly that I don’t know what happened,” said Grant.
“From my point of view, he was training with the team and nothing happened.
“He trained today and he trained the day before. There wasn’t any problem and I don’t know what was happening.
“He belongs to the team and I want him to stay in the team.
“I’ve heard many clubs want our players but we want to keep our players.
“We had 16 players in the squad on Tuesday and tomorrow, if everyone is fit, it will be 18.
“So we cannot give players to the other teams and we don’t want to.”
Grant confirmed James will be in his squad for the Premier League clash with Birmingham at Fratton Park on Saturday.
But he refused to be drawn as to whether he would replace second choice stopper Asmir Begovic between the sticks.
“Jamo is a very good player but Asmir did very well for us. He is a young player and has a great future ahead of him. He showed that we can count on him and he was great.”
Torres > King Reina as the World’s Best’ Goalkeeper
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres believes that Pepe Reina is currently the world’s best goalkeeper.
Reina has been in top top form for the Reds in what has so far been a difficult season for liverpool but Torres feels that there is no finer keeper currently playing.
“Like always he’s having a really good season. For me he’s now the best keeper in the world,” the forward told the Reds’ official website.
“In Spain everyone knows he’s a very good keeper and in England there is no doubt he is the best. He’s played at a top level since he signed here and won many Golden Gloves – and hopefully he’ll win one more this season.
“He’s having a massive season and at [Aston] Villa we won the game thanks to him. We must be really happy to have him in the team and hopefully he’ll be here for a long time.”
Also a top guy off the field says Torres “Pepe is one of the most important players in the dressing-room,” he added.
“After Stevie [Gerrard] and Carra [Jamie Carragehr], I think he’s the most important. He’s always happy round the place – not just on the pitch but in the dressing-room.
“When you see Pepe he is always happy and trying to be positive. He is a really good professional.
“I always scored against him when we played in Spain – he was one of my favourite keepers! We always talk and laugh about that. I don’t know why I always score against him.”
Reina become one Uhlsport’s number one endorses at the start of this season and has been wearing the (the choice of Pepe Reina) Uhlsport Ergonomic Absolutgrip or Uhlsport Fangmaschine HN Pro
van der Sar returns
Manchester United number one Edwin van der Sar has returned Manchester United for the first time since his wife collapsed with a brain haemorrhage before Christmas.
Edwin has not played since the 3-0 defeat of Everton on 21 November last year.
The united stopper has been on compassionate leave since his wife Annemarie van Kesteren was admitted to hospital in Amsterdam just before christmas. However latest medical tests have shown his wife has suffered no permanent damage.
Van der Sar has now headed to Qatar to be with the rest of his team-mates at their four-day winter training camp.
It will now be intresting to see if the United manager Sir Alex will replace Tomasz Kuszczak who has deputized in Van Der Sar’s abssece and has done little wrong between the sticks.
Sunday’s “mail on sunday” has also reported that United have put Ben Foster up for sale, Foster has sliped in the pecking order and has found himself not even making the bench ahead of young keeper Ben Amos.
Van Der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak are both wearing gloves from the new Adidas Glove Range Van Der Sar is expected to wear the new Adidas Fingersave Allround (white black sun).
Black Cats boss rejects £5m Kirkland talk
Sunderland’s manager Steve Bruce has branded talk of a £5million bid for Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland as ‘garbage’.
Bruce managed kirkland who wears the new Adidas Response Fingertip (white silver) in his time at Wigan and acknowledges he is a ‘big, big admirer’ of the top stopper.
Bruce told the Sunderland Echo: “Talk of me bidding £5m for Chris Kirkland is garbage but he is a very good goalkeeper and I’m a big, big admirer of him.
“Some of the players I’ve been linked with have been ridiculous but you come to expect that in January and there’s nothing we can do about that.
“What I will say is that we’re working on one or two things and hopefully we can see them progress.”
The glove choice of Chris Kirkland the Adidas Response Fingertip (white silver)
Wigan call in back-up for keeper Kirkland signing Vladimir Stojkovic
Wigan have moved fast in the Januaray transfer window and have completed the loan signing of Serbia’s Vladimir Stojkovic.
Stojkovic wear’s Uhlsport goalkeepers and has been wearing (the choice of Pepe Reina) the Uhlsport Ergonomic Absolutgrip
The 26-year old goakeeeper has joined Wigan from Sporting Lisbon until the end of the season and will go straight into the squad to face Aston Villa this weekend.
‘Everyone knows about the quality of the English Premier League,’ said Stojkovic. ‘So to get a chance like this is a fantastic opportunity for me”
‘It is going to be very tough because I know the quality of the goalkeepers already here but every professional trains to play first-team football.
‘I am looking forward to the challenge of getting in the team and fighting for a place.’ Stojkovic was speaking to the sports mail.
The stopper has been brought in for back up for first choice Chris Kirkland.
‘Vladimir is a highly experienced keeper who is the No 1 choice in his home country,’ said the Migan Manager Martinez. ‘That shows you the calibre of professional we are signing, as a player but also in terms of his character and determination to succeed.
‘He will add tremendous competition for places in the goalkeeping department – something which we need everywhere on the pitch.
PRO GK keeper Stockdale signs contract extension at Fulham
Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale has signed an extension to his contract which will keep him at the Club until the summer of 2013.
Stockdale joined the Whites from Darlington in 2008 and made his Premier League debut this season in Fulham’s victory over Everton at Craven Cottage.
Speaking from the Club’s Motspur Park training ground today, Stockdale was clearly delighted to have put pen to paper.
“It means the world to me really,” he said. “It was great to be here in the first place and I’m settled here and have had the opportunity to show what I can do. Thankfully the Club has rewarded me.
“The keepers here are great to learn from and there’s a wonderful rapport, if I can do half of what Schwarzer and Zuberbuhler have done in their careers, it would be a great career to look back on. I’m working with the best here at Fulham and it was nice to get an opportunity in the Premier League against Everton earlier this season.”
David Stockdale wears PRO-GK goalkeeper gloves his choice of glove is the PRO-GK Revolution Aqua Roll Finger which is now available at www.great-save.com
United boss wants to get his hands on France keeper Lloris
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants to get his hands on France World Cup keeper Hugo Lloris
It is reported that Lyon what £20million for their top shot-stopper.
Reports say Ferguson is ready to make a move for the tall 23-year-old as he looks for Edwin van der Sar’s long-term replacement and he could make a major splash when the transfer window opens.
