Latest news with #Goalkeeper
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Goalkeeper Matz Sels signs new Nottingham Forest contract
Goalkeeper Matz Sels has signed a new contract with Nottingham Forest. The keeper shared the Golden Glove award with Arsenal's David Raya last season, having kept 13 clean sheets in the Premier League – and the Belgium international has been rewarded for his good form. He initially signed a three-and-a-half year contract following his €6million move from Strasbourg in February 2024, before helping the club to secure a third season of top flight football. His new deal also runs until 2027, but includes improved terms to reflect his contribution under Nuno Espirito Santo. Sels played every Premier League game for Forest last season, as Forest finished in seventh place, to secure European qualification for the first time in three decades. He was also a key figure as Forest won three penalty shootouts in the FA Cup, as they plotted a course to the semi-final. Advertisement 'We had an amazing season last year and I was one small part of that, so I am really happy to sign,' said Sels in a club statement. 'Hopefully we can continue together and have some great moments. I am looking forward to playing in Europe, because that is something really special.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Man Utd to get their man?! Red Devils close in on deal to land Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez amid stunning release clause revelation
World Cup winner open to new challenge Transfer talks progressing positively United will to pay bigger fee in instalments Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? The Red Devils have been linked with the World Cup-winning goalkeeper for some time, with efforts to bring him on board at Old Trafford said to have been stepped up. For now, Martinez has returned to pre-season training at Villa. THE BIGGER PICTURE That may not be the case for long as Clarin, the biggest newspaper in Argentina, claim that Martinez has 'everything ready' to trade the West Midlands for the North West of England. They consider a deal to be 'close'. DID YOU KNOW? It is also claimed that Martinez has a €25 million (£22m/$29m) release clause in his contract. Said fee would see the enigmatic 32-year-old become a bargain addition for United. They are, however, willing to pay more than that figure in order to reach an agreement that suits all parties. TELL ME MORE With the Red Devils reluctant to part with a fee up front, as is often the case with release clauses, they are prepared to sweeten the deal for Villa by increasing the terms and spreading payment over a number of instalments. That approach will also allow them to fend off rival interest from Turkey and the Saudi Pro League. WHAT NEXT FOR MARTINEZ? Martinez is tied to a contract at Villa Park until 2029, but is seemingly willing to take on a new challenge. If he moves to Manchester, then the Argentina international will inherit starting duties for United from Cameroonian custodian Andre Onana - who is currently nursing an injury.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I signed for Xabi Alonso!' - Mark Flekken says he agreed Bayer Leverkusen move before new Real Madrid coach left but reveals 11-year long campaign to convince Erik ten Hag to sign him
Goalkeeper joins Leverkusen from Brentford Ten Hag chased Flekken since 2013 Healthy battle with Hradecky for starting spot Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? Flekken officially joined Bayer Leverkusen in the beginning of July from Brentford. Although Ten Hag has now taken over as head coach at Leverkusen, Flekken clarified that he had already agreed to the transfer before Alonso's departure. Interestingly, the Dutch goalkeeper revealed he had been on his compatriot's radar for over a decade, dating back to their time in Germany's lower leagues. THE BIGGER PICTURE Leverkusen are undergoing a notable shift both on and off the pitch. With Alonso departing for Real Madrid, new boss Ten Hag is now tasked with sustaining the club's upward momentum. In goal, the arrival of Dutch international Flekken signals the start of a new chapter, as he is expected to compete with, and potentially succeed, long-time captain Lukas Hradecky. Although Flekken had already agreed to join Leverkusen before Alonso's exit, his connection with Ten Hag adds extra narrative weight. The Dutch coach wrote to him after the deal was finalised: 'Now the time has finally come for us to work together after 11 years.' Flekken had long hoped to play under Ten Hag, with past opportunities at Utrecht and Ajax falling through, making their long-overdue link-up at the BayArena a personal milestone. WHAT FLEKKEN SAID Flekken told BILD: "My agent had been in contact with Erik several times before. He discussed opportunities to sign me, for example, when he was at Utrecht or Ajax. But it just never worked out." He added: "I first played against Erik when he was still coach of Bayern Munich II. I played for Greuther Furth II. So, we had known each other from a distance for a while. We had never spoken in person, but we had played against each other several times." Despite the strong ties, Flekken clarified that Ten Hag's arrival wasn't the reason for his move: "I had already reached a verbal agreement before Xabi Alonso made his decision to leave." On replacing Hradecky, he stressed mutual respect and healthy competition: "We get along well, we can laugh together, we can work together seriously and that is the be-all and end-all for me." WHAT NEXT FOR LEVERKUSEN? All eyes will be on how the Dutch pair reshape Leverkusen's defensive setup. Hradecky, though now second-choice, is expected to push hard for his spot, adding healthy competition. For Ten Hag, blending his philosophy into an already well-drilled title-winning side will be a delicate but fascinating challenge in 2025-26.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Prior signs three-year Livingston extension
Goalkeeper Jerome Prior has signed a new three-year deal with Livingston which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2028. The 29-year-old joined David Martindale's side from Pau FC last summer and went on to make 44 appearances last term and kept 22 clean sheets - the highest of any Livingston goalkeeper in a single season. Prior played a pivotal role in a campaign that saw Livi concede the second-fewest goals across the SPFL and secure an immediate return to the top flight thanks to their play-off win over Ross County.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Prior signs three-year Livingston extension
Goalkeeper Jerome Prior has signed a new three-year deal with Livingston which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2028. The 29-year-old joined David Martindale's side from Pau FC last summer and went on to make 44 appearances last term and kept 22 clean sheets - the highest of any Livingston goalkeeper in a single season. Prior played a pivotal role in a campaign that saw Livi concede the second-fewest goals across the SPFL and secure an immediate return to the top flight thanks to their play-off win over Ross County.
