Latest news with #AsmirBegovic
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Unemployed Premier League winner, 38, ‘interested' in shock transfer to Wrexham more than a year after last game
Wrexham are currently considering swoops for Scotland and Welsh internationals WREX APPEAL Unemployed Premier League winner, 38, 'interested' in shock transfer to Wrexham more than a year after last game FORMER title-winning goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has opened the door to a move to Wrexham. The Bosnian, 38, helped Chelsea to their most recent Prem crown in 2017. Advertisement 3 Asmir Begovic won the Premier League title with Chelsea in 2017 Credit: Getty 3 Begovic, 38, was backup at Everton last season Credit: Getty Now a free agent after leaving Everton, Begovic has revealed that he's been keeping an eye on Championship new boys Wrexham. Chatting to Fruity King, the experienced stopper said: "Wrexham is a really interesting project, both on the pitch and everything that comes with it. "I like working with good people and having watched the documentary, the owners seem like amazing guys. "That is the sort of club I'd love to work with and the idea of Wrexham really interests me. Advertisement "If it's the right situation for everyone then who knows, it's an exciting project." Begovic re-signed for Everton last summer to back up Jordan Pickford, but did not get to play during the 2024-25 campaign. His last appearance came for Queens Park Rangers, where he was first choice, in April 2024. The imposing 6ft 6in keeper has bags of experience, having played more than 250 times in the Premier League across spells at Portsmouth, Stoke, Chelsea, Bournemouth and Everton. Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Wrexham have shown a desire to recruit experienced players under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Former Prem stars James McClean, Jay Rodriguez, Matty James and Steven Fletcher have all been recruited in recent seasons. Wrexham stars celebrate in iconic Las Vegas casino and hijack luggage cart after Hollywood owners splash £500k on party While Phil Parkinson's side also had ex-England goalkeeper Ben Foster among their ranks. Advertisement Former Arsenal youngster Arthur Okonkwo was Wrexham's No1 last season, with ex-Plymouth Argyle promotion winner Callum Burton backing him up. Wrexham began their summer spending last week by signing Burton's former Pilgrims team-mate Ryan Hardie from Home Park in a deal worth around £700,000. The Scottish striker, 28, bagged more than 70 goals for Argyle, including 10 in the Championship last term. SunSport revealed that Sheffield Wednesday star Barry Bannan is on Wrexham's radar. Advertisement While Red Dragons chiefs have also considered Welsh international goalkeeper Danny Ward. 3 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Unemployed Premier League winner, 38, ‘interested' in shock transfer to Wrexham more than a year after last game
FORMER title-winning goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has opened the door to a move to Wrexham. The Bosnian, 38, helped 3 Asmir Begovic won the Premier League title with Chelsea in 2017 Credit: Getty 3 Begovic, 38, was backup at Everton last season Credit: Getty Now a free agent after Chatting to "I like working with good people and having watched the documentary, the owners seem like amazing guys. "That is the sort of club I'd love to work with and the idea of Wrexham really interests me. READ MORE FOOTBALL "If it's the right situation for everyone then who knows, it's an exciting project." Begovic re-signed for Everton last summer to back up His last appearance came for The imposing 6ft 6in keeper has bags of experience, having played more than 250 times in the Premier League across spells at Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Wrexham have shown a desire to recruit experienced players under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Former Prem stars James McClean, Jay Rodriguez, Matty James and Steven Fletcher have all been recruited in recent seasons. Wrexham stars celebrate in iconic Las Vegas casino and hijack luggage cart after Hollywood owners splash £500k on party While Phil Parkinson's side also had ex-England goalkeeper Former Wrexham began their summer spending last week by The Scottish striker, 28, bagged more than 70 goals for Argyle, including 10 in the Championship last term. SunSport revealed that Sheffield Wednesday star While Red Dragons chiefs have also considered Welsh international goalkeeper Danny Ward. 3
The Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Unemployed Premier League winner, 38, ‘interested' in shock transfer to Wrexham more than a year after last game
FORMER title-winning goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has opened the door to a move to Wrexham. The Bosnian, 38, helped Chelsea to their most recent Prem crown in 2017. 3 Now a free agent after leaving Everton, Begovic has revealed that he's been keeping an eye on Championship new boys Wrexham. Chatting to Fruity King, the experienced stopper said: "Wrexham is a really interesting project, both on the pitch and everything that comes with it. "I like working with good people and having watched the documentary, the owners seem like amazing guys. "That is the sort of club I'd love to work with and the idea of Wrexham really interests me. "If it's the right situation for everyone then who knows, it's an exciting project." Begovic re-signed for Everton last summer to back up Jordan Pickford, but did not get to play during the 2024-25 campaign. His last appearance came for Queens Park Rangers, where he was first choice, in April 2024. The imposing 6ft 6in keeper has bags of experience, having played more than 250 times in the Premier League across spells at Portsmouth, Stoke, Chelsea, Bournemouth and Everton. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Wrexham have shown a desire to recruit experienced players under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Former Prem stars James McClean, Jay Rodriguez, Matty James and Steven Fletcher have all been recruited in recent seasons. Wrexham stars celebrate in iconic Las Vegas casino and hijack luggage cart after Hollywood owners splash £500k on party While Phil Parkinson's side also had ex-England goalkeeper Ben Foster among their ranks. Former Arsenal youngster Arthur Okonkwo was Wrexham's No1 last season, with ex-Plymouth Argyle promotion winner Callum Burton backing him up. Wrexham began their summer spending last week by signing Burton's former Pilgrims team-mate Ryan Hardie from Home Park in a deal worth around £700,000. The Scottish striker, 28, bagged more than 70 goals for Argyle, including 10 in the Championship last term. SunSport revealed that Sheffield Wednesday star Barry Bannan is on Wrexham's radar. While Red Dragons chiefs have also considered Welsh international goalkeeper Danny Ward. 3
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Premier League-winning goalkeeper says he is 'interested' by a potential move to Wrexham as they prepare for life in the Championship
A Premier League-winning goalkeeper has revealed that he would be 'interested' in a potential move to Wrexham. The player in question played for Portsmouth, Stoke City, Bournemouth and Everton while also winning a Premier League title with Chelsea in 2016-17. He made 256 Premier League appearances over nearly 20 seasons, keeping 63 clean sheets in total. A Bosnian international, the goalkeeper is now a free agent after his contract with the Toffees opted not to renew his contract for the 2025-26 campaign. Asmir Begovic has expressed a possible desire to join Wrexham, who are now in the Championship following successive promotions in the Football League. Begovic, 38, was most notably part of Tony Pulis' miserly Stoke side from 2009 to 2015, before a string of impressive performances caught the attention of Chelsea. He then signed to become the Blues' back-up goalkeeper to Thibaut Courtois following the departure of Petr Cech in 2015. He played two games under Antonio Conte's title-winning side in 2016-17, which was the last time the west London side lifted the Premier League. But Begovic now appears to be ready for a new challenge after being let go by Everton, with a possible move to north Wales on the cards. Speaking to Fruity King, he said: 'Wrexham is a really interesting project, both on the pitch and everything that comes with it. 'I like working with good people and having watched the documentary, the owners seem like amazing guys. That is the sort of club I'd love to work with and the idea of Wrexham really interests me. 'If it's the right situation for everyone then who knows, it's an exciting project.' Wrexham have enjoyed a meteoric rise through the divisions since being taken over by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney back in November 2020 in a deal that was completed in February 2021. In 2022-23, they finished the National League season with a whopping 111 points to seal promotion to the Football League for the first time in 15 years. Now, they are just one division away from the top flight after two promotions in a row from League Two and League One respectively - making them the first-ever club to achieve such a feat in England's top five leagues.
New York Times
12-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Asmir Begovic interview: Everton optimism, Moyes' influence and ‘icon' Coleman
Asmir Begovic is philosophical about what is to come. The veteran goalkeeper is soon to be a free agent, his contract with Everton expiring at the end of the month. It has been confirmed that he will not be getting a new deal with them. Begovic, who turns 38 next week, describes the decision-making process around his Everton exit as 'simple'. Talks were short and succinct. Advertisement 'They wanted to change direction a bit and bring in new blood,' he tells The Athletic. 'For me, it was easy. No hard feelings. You respect the decision. We gave it everything and shook hands, having done our job. That's what makes it something you look back on with some fondness.' Begovic's time at Everton was largely challenging, for reasons beyond his control. His first spell, between 2021 and 2023, saw two relegation battles. Then, after a year with west London-based Queens Park Rangers in the second-tier Championship, he returned to Goodison Park last summer, with Everton still financially stricken and in the midst of a lengthy takeover process. His role changed slightly last season compared to that first stint. He went from being No 2 'keeper to third-choice, providing able cover for England international Jordan Pickford and backup Joao Virginia — who is leaving too this summer with the expiry of his contract — yet still saw rejoining Everton as a 'no-brainer'. A call from the Merseyside club's then director of football Kevin Thelwell last summer emphasised that Begovic would play a valuable leadership role with the place still engulfed in uncertainty. Everton wanted to lean on the experience he gained during that tumultuous first spell. 'I don't think anyone would have known what was to happen in those first two years,' Begovic says. 'So it was absolutely nothing new (to me). 'Being able to deal with it in a really calm way was obviously part of the appeal in bringing me back. I knew exactly what to expect, and it was easy to cope with everything.' Begovic describes his first spell with Everton as more challenging than the second — 'there was a lot of turmoil, probably unexpectedly'. But there is now a sense the club are stronger having come through such adversity, which included two separate points deductions for financial breaches in the 2023-24 season, after the takeover by The Friedkin Group and the move to their new stadium for next season. 'Because of that period, everyone knew what it could be like,' says Begovic, who did not make an appearance last season as Pickford excelled and Virginia played once each in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. 'Those past experiences have really helped the team to be calm and deal with certain situations.' Advertisement Present during two turbulent chapters in the club's recent history, Begovic ended up playing an admittedly unheralded part in seeing them through unscathed. He was part of a senior leadership group that also included captain Seamus Coleman, defenders James Tarkowski and Ashley Young and Pickford. Coleman's presence helped ensure all 'egos were left at the door'. 'Seamus is the ultimate leader, the icon of the club,' says the Canada-raised Bosnia-Herzegovina international. 'He sets the tone. He's somebody that you just want to play with and play for. What he represents and what he stands for really epitomise Everton and everything the club can be. 'We had a really good group behind that, trying to set certain standards and keep everyone together. There was some good quality in the squad and we had fantastic support staff, so I felt like it was a really good mix this year. That sort of made us achieve the maximum we could. 'No matter the circumstances, we always stuck together and kept pushing. The fruits of the labour really came through in the second half of the season.' Everton ended the campaign in fine form under David Moyes, back for a second stint as manager over a decade after leaving for Manchester United, finishing in a comfortable mid-table position. The woes in the first half of the season under the Scot's predecessor Sean Dyche are now a distant memory, but there was always a sense the squad could do better. 'That (early period) probably wasn't a true reflection of us and the quality we had,' Begovic says. 'But even when results weren't where we wanted them to be, I don't think we were a million miles away,' he adds, pointing to games against Bournemouth and Aston Villa where Everton lost after surrendering 2-0 leads. 'After that, we really showed the team we could be with the new manager coming in. We were able to turn it around and made it a lot easier for ourselves.' Advertisement So what changed when Moyes arrived in January? 'The funny thing is, when he came in, he said there's not much that needs to change, especially defensively,' he says. 'In possession, he put his touch on certain things and added different details, and that mix worked.' Another key difference was the shift in atmosphere, with Moyes' return to the club he led for over a decade between 2002 and 2013 providing something of a comfort blanket. 'I don't think you can underestimate the impact that he had,' Begovic says. 'The atmosphere, as soon as he walked in — his legendary status — made a really big difference. 'He's a really experienced, calm manager. He never gets too high or too low, just really believes in what he does. He's got a really good staff and surrounds himself with really good people. He tries to create camaraderie. But at the same time, he'll tell you how it is if he wants certain things done in a better way. He just has a really good mix.' We talk about Pickford, the team's talisman during those relegation battles and Begovic's long-time training partner. Despite being the Everton and England No 1, there is still a sense he does not receive the plaudits from some quarters that he deserves. 'He's playing at an incredibly high level,' Begovic says. 'Obviously, he loves being at Everton, and Everton love him. He's doing the business for England, going from strength to strength, and it's great to see. 'We've developed a really big respect and friendship, pushed each other in training and made each other better. You do get better with experience. I've seen a change (in) his maturity, the way he plays the game. 'He's been the best goalkeeper in the Premier League for the last five years.' Mentorship seems to come naturally to Begovic. He enjoys passing on his experience, gained during stints at Chelsea, Portsmouth and Stoke City among others, and has his own academy, which operates in both the UK and Bosnia. In his spare time, he is making more media appearances, paving the way for a potential life after professional football. But he remains keen to prolong his playing career. Advertisement 'You only get one chance at this job,' Begovic says. 'I've looked after myself well over the last few years. In football, I don't look too far ahead. Hopefully, the right situation comes up, and I'd like to keep doing it. I'm really open to all roles. I've done them now, so let's see what happens.' The end of one chapter, then, and the start of another — for Begovic and the club he is leaving behind. What comes next may be unclear, but he is optimistic about Everton's future, having played his small part in safeguarding it. 'Hopefully, Everton have weathered the storm and you're looking at brighter times,' Begovic says. 'They deserve nothing but the very best. Ownership, hopefully, can open up more resources and opportunities with the new stadium. It's exciting times and hopefully they can make the most of it.'
