Antti Niemi (footballer)

Niemi was born in Oulu, Finland and began his professional 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.

Niemi joined Rangers in 1997 and initially competed with Andy Goram and Theo Snelders for the goalkeeper position; he made seven appearances in all competitions in his first season at Rangers.[3] The following season, 1998−99, Niemi began the season competing with Lionel Charbonnier to be Rangers' goalkeeper. Niemi started the 1998 Scottish League Cup final as Rangers defeated St Johnstone,[4] however Stefan Klos was signed in December 1998 and immediately became Rangers' first choice.[5] Rangers won the Scottish Premier League in the 1998–99 season, but Niemi only contributed seven league appearances.[6] In fact, Niemi only made one Rangers appearance after Klos was signed, which came in the league against Motherwell in August 1999.[7] Niemi also had a brief loan spell at Charlton Athletic late in 1999.[8]

Niemi moved to Edinburgh 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 Scotland's best team outside the Old Firm. Niemi also became famous in Scotland for his ability to save penalties, demonstrating this skill when saving from Dundee United's Charlie Miller[9] and Dunfermline Athletic's Scott Thomson.[10] Niemi also played in European competition for Hearts against opponents such as Stuttgart.

In a more light-hearted incident, Niemi was also famously during his time at Hearts the subject of a call during a phone-in on radio channel talkSPORT, in which a Scottish fan queried why Niemi had not been called up to the Scotland national team. When presenter Arthur Albiston told the caller that Niemi was in fact Finnish, the caller replied 'He's not finished, he's only 28!'[11]

Upon his retirement, Niemi recalled his time at Hearts, quoting: "it was all good. Looking back, everything went so well – it was a lovely club, the team was doing well, I was playing well and we had a good manager in Jim Jefferies".[12]

After three seasons in Edinburgh, Niemi moved to Southampton in 2002. He played for Southampton in the 2003 FA Cup final against Arsenal, which the Saints 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.[13] In March 2004 he saved a Michael Owen penalty to help his team to a 2–0 win over Liverpool.[14] 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 challenge for promotion in the following season, Niemi decided to return to the Premiership with Fulham, for whom he signed in January 2006. Niemi would describe being relegated as a "first bad experience in British football".[12]

Niemi was badly hurt in a freak accident during a match against Watford 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.[15]

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 that he had retired from professional football due to a wrist injury.[16]

Despite announcing his retirement from the game the previous year it was confirmed on 28 July 2009 that Antti Niemi was in talks with Portsmouth. 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.[17] On 24 March 2010, he was released from his contract, without making a single appearance for Portsmouth's first team. It was reported that Niemi earned almost £450,000 during those eight months with Portsmouth.[18]