Antti Niemi
Encyclopedia
Antti Mikko Niemi is a Finnish football goalkeeper, who is currently a free agent
. He has spent much of his career in the UK (both the SPL
and Premier League), and in 2008 announced his retirement due to injury. However in 2009 he returned to sign for Premier League club Portsmouth FC
although he did not make any appearances before leaving in 2010.
, Finland
and began his career with HJK Helsinki
, where he made over 100 appearances in four years, before transferring to FC Copenhagen
in 1995. Impressive performances over the next two years saw a transfer to Scotland with Glasgow club Rangers
, where he became the first and only player to wear the number 13 shirt for the club in their Scottish Premier League
history.
to join Heart Of Midlothian
in December 1999. He became a hero for Hearts fans in the three years he played at Tynecastle. He put in some fantastic performances which helped Hearts maintain their status as one of Scotland's best team outside the Old Firm. Niemi also became famous in Scotland for his fantastic ability to save penalties.
Niemi also played in European competition for Hearts against opponents such as Stuttgart.
in 2002. He played for Southampton in the 2003 FA Cup final
against Arsenal
which was lost 1–0; Niemi became the first Goalkeeper to be substituted in an FA Cup Final
when he was replaced by Paul Jones
during the game due to a calf injury. In a game against Fulham in the 2002–03 season, he came up for a corner in injury time with Southampton trailing 2–1. The ball fell at his feet and he crashed a shot against the crossbar, and Michael Svensson
was able to turn in the rebound, salvaging a draw. There was much speculation regarding Niemi's future at Southampton with a host of leading Premier League clubs rumoured to be interested in his services, such as Manchester United and Arsenal. After Southampton were relegated in 2005 and failed to be promoted the following season, Niemi decided to return to the Premiership with Fulham, for whom he signed in January 2006.
on 1 January 2007 when rushing out to head the ball; he toppled over his own defender, Carlos Bocanegra
, and landed on his head. He was taken from the field of play on a stretcher after ten minutes of treatment, but was later cleared of any spinal injury. He was released from hospital later that night with only ligament and muscle damage to the neck.
He remained Fulham's first choice keeper until 1 March 2008, when, following injury, he was replaced by Kasey Keller
. On 3 September 2008 it was announced at that he had retired from professional football due to a wrist injury.
. On 7 August, Niemi confirmed he had signed for Portsmouth on a one year deal as backup to David James
and to work with the goalkeeping coaches. On 24 March 2010, he was released from his contract, without making a single appearance in the Portsmouth's first team. It was reported that Niemi earned almost £
450,000 during those eight months with Portsmouth.
for almost a decade, before announcing his decision to retire from international football in 2005, but returned to the roster in 2007 playing a friendly game against Spain (0–0). He was capped 67 times by his country before this. On 2 March 2010 Niemi joined Finland's
national team as a goalkeeping coach.
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He has spent much of his career in the UK (both the SPL
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
and Premier League), and in 2008 announced his retirement due to injury. However in 2009 he returned to sign for Premier League club Portsmouth FC
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
although he did not make any appearances before leaving in 2010.
Early career
Niemi was born in OuluOulu
Oulu is a city and municipality of inhabitants in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, in Finland. It is the most populous city in Northern Finland and the sixth most populous city in the country. It is one of the northernmost larger cities in the world....
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
and began his career with HJK Helsinki
HJK Helsinki
Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi , internationally known as HJK Helsinki, is a Finnish football club, based in the capital Helsinki...
, where he made over 100 appearances in four years, before transferring to FC Copenhagen
F.C. Copenhagen
F.C. Copenhagen is a professional Danish football club in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is part of the Parken Sport & Entertainment....
in 1995. Impressive performances over the next two years saw a transfer to Scotland with Glasgow club Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, where he became the first and only player to wear the number 13 shirt for the club in their Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
history.
Hearts
Niemi moved to EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
to join Heart Of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in December 1999. He became a hero for Hearts fans in the three years he played at Tynecastle. He put in some fantastic performances which helped Hearts maintain their status as one of Scotland's best team outside the Old Firm. Niemi also became famous in Scotland for his fantastic ability to save penalties.
Niemi also played in European competition for Hearts against opponents such as Stuttgart.
Southampton
After three seasons in Edinburgh, Niemi moved to SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in 2002. He played for Southampton in the 2003 FA Cup final
FA Cup Final 2003
The 2003 FA Cup Final saw the holders Arsenal, beat Southampton. The match took place on Saturday, 17 May 2003 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and ended 1–0 with a 38th minute goal by Robert Pirès separating the sides....
against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
which was lost 1–0; Niemi became the first Goalkeeper to be substituted in an FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
when he was replaced by Paul Jones
Paul Jones (footballer)
Paul Steven Jones is a retired Welsh international football goalkeeper. During his playing career, he played for several clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stockport County and Southampton.-Career history:...
during the game due to a calf injury. In a game against Fulham in the 2002–03 season, he came up for a corner in injury time with Southampton trailing 2–1. The ball fell at his feet and he crashed a shot against the crossbar, and Michael Svensson
Michael Svensson
Michael Lennart Svensson is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Halmstads BK in Superettan. He is best known at club level for his playing career with Southampton...
was able to turn in the rebound, salvaging a draw. There was much speculation regarding Niemi's future at Southampton with a host of leading Premier League clubs rumoured to be interested in his services, such as Manchester United and Arsenal. After Southampton were relegated in 2005 and failed to be promoted the following season, Niemi decided to return to the Premiership with Fulham, for whom he signed in January 2006.
Fulham
Niemi was badly hurt in a freak accident during a match against WatfordWatford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
on 1 January 2007 when rushing out to head the ball; he toppled over his own defender, Carlos Bocanegra
Carlos Bocanegra
Carlos Manuel Bocanegra is an American soccer player who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and is the captain of the United States national team.-Chicago Fire:...
, and landed on his head. He was taken from the field of play on a stretcher after ten minutes of treatment, but was later cleared of any spinal injury. He was released from hospital later that night with only ligament and muscle damage to the neck.
He remained Fulham's first choice keeper until 1 March 2008, when, following injury, he was replaced by Kasey Keller
Kasey Keller
Kasey Keller is a retired American soccer player who last played for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer....
. On 3 September 2008 it was announced at that he had retired from professional football due to a wrist injury.
Portsmouth
Despite announcing his retirement from the game the previous year it was confirmed on 28 July 2009 that Antti Niemi was in talks with PortsmouthPortsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
. On 7 August, Niemi confirmed he had signed for Portsmouth on a one year deal as backup to David James
David James (footballer)
David Benjamin James is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bristol City.On 14 February 2009, he achieved the all-time Premier League appearance record with 536 appearances, overtaking Gary Speed. He held this record until being overtaken by Ryan Giggs on the 14th May 2011...
and to work with the goalkeeping coaches. On 24 March 2010, he was released from his contract, without making a single appearance in the Portsmouth's first team. It was reported that Niemi earned almost £
Pound sign
The pound sign is the symbol for the pound sterling—the currency of the United Kingdom . The same symbol is used for similarly named currencies in some other countries and territories, such as the Irish pound, Gibraltar pound, Australian pound and the Italian lira...
450,000 during those eight months with Portsmouth.
International career
Niemi was first choice for the Finnish national teamFinland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
for almost a decade, before announcing his decision to retire from international football in 2005, but returned to the roster in 2007 playing a friendly game against Spain (0–0). He was capped 67 times by his country before this. On 2 March 2010 Niemi joined Finland's
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
national team as a goalkeeping coach.