Mäenpää becomes a City player Wednesday, August 1st 2018 City have completed the signing of goalkeeper Niki Mäenpää. The Finnish international has recently been on trial in BS3 and continued to impress during the club’s pre-season training camp in Marbella. The 33-year-old has agreed a one-year deal at Ashton Gate, with a further year option, and arrives as a free agent after departing Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer. Gallery please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image PrevNext please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Head coach Lee Johnson told bcfc.co.uk: “Niki has really impressed us during his trial period. He has the technical and personable skills to fit in nicely to this squad. “He has spent a couple of seasons in the shadows and now he’s hungry to prove himself as a top goalkeeper.” Having began his career with French side RC Lens in 2003, the shot-stopper moved to FC Den Bosch three years later. WATCH: MÄENPÄÄ - THE FIRST INTERVIEW
He then spent three seasons with Willem II, before completing a transfer to AZ Alkmaar in 2011, which followed a move to VVV-Venlo in 2012. Mäenpää spent three campaigns with VVV-Venlo, including one top-flight Eredivisie season, and he won the club’ Player of the Season award, before joining Albion in 2015. Mäenpää featured 11 times for the Seagulls, keeping six clean sheets. The new arrival could be involved in Saturday's season opener with Nottingham Forest (August 4th, 3pm).
A very underwhelming signing with a one year contract. A treading water appointment, short sighted and with zero ambition.
I sincerely doubt he’ll be better than Fielding, who despite his criticism is probably one of the best keepers in our league (including financially and viability). I believe max should be given a chance as number 2 if hes performing well behind the scenes soon
Why did we let go Steele, played 10 competitive games for us last season, 33 years of age, experience with Man U/West Brom/ Barnsley & international experience with Parathiaikos and now snapped up as a no 2 by Nottinghan Forest, a major competitor. We've replaced him with a player released by Brighton, 33 years of age, we sign him foc on a 1 year contract with a 1 year option, he has only played 11 games in 3 years for Brighton and we are parading him as if he is England no 1. I'm all for giving this guy a go and he could be brilliant but I feel we have been led up the garden path by certain people unless there is another option about to happen, unlikely, especially when we have had a reported 3 or 4 failures at signing a no 1 gk.
To be fair on Twitter Brighton fans are rating him big time. So I’m going to sit on the fence again I will comment after Saturdays game.
I think you’ll find that Steele wanted away because LJ wouldn’t guarantee him games. That will always be the case with GKs because of the very nature of that position (except for the extremely rare instances when an outfield player can also play professionally in goal) Shame because I liked Steele and he always put in a shift when called upon but don’t blame him for looking elsewhere to get more games.
I was feeling a bit underwhelmed at first but these comments cheered me up: http://www.northstandchat.com/showthread.php?365836-Niki-Maenpaa Quite complimentary about us too in the main - although one poster refers to us as ‘****heads’ which is the witty and original nickname that the Sags use - so he probably has some gas influence there as Rovers are the only ones to refer to us by that name - I think.
Glad we've actually got someone to stand between the sticks tomorrow, but it smacks of sheer desperation. For the first time ever I am not particularly looking forward to the new season and can only see one of struggle. In my humble opinion the signings we've made are largely underwhelming, and the quality we've lost, and may yet still lose further doesn't compare to those that have arrived. My only hope is that those in power know what they are doing. I guess we'll know for starters by 16.55 tomorrow.
Not sure if desperation is the right word as this bloke has been on trial for several weeks so we’ve had a good look at him. I think Plan A has failed unfortunately, which presumably was to get in a new first team keeper which has failed to materialise for several reasons, (it happens as getting players through the door is not as easy as people imagine) then bring this keeper in as back up, probably sell Frankie (which his injury has scuppered) and send O’Leary and Woolacott out on loan. I think Plan B or maybe even C or D by now is probably get a keeper in on loan to cover Frankies injury and maybe look at getting in a new first choice keeper in January (possibly the American guy). As ever I’m looking forward to tomorrow as I believe we start the season with a stronger squad then when we finished last season with Championship ready players. I don’t see a season of struggle although I also don’t see us running away with the league either.
looking through the transfer/loans there has been a lot of goalkeeper activity this window, what is happening is that the new rules implemented last season .... window closes... loan window closes ... that's it folks till the next 4 months and the halfway point ...January ..is beginning to be looked at in a different light after one year 's operation. A lot of loan players, and "out of contract / given the boot" players are being picked up earlier rather than later .... BRUM, who tried to misle the EFL has had some of its smirk wiped off .. again seems authorities are rather coy on the important parts like ffp but come down extra hard on after game video / penalties etc .. no consistency.................. most clubs have 4 keepers or more!? Frankie, Niki, Max and Jojo are likely to be at the club not out on loan duties
Interesting insight there JGF2 Bristol City prospects Jojo Wollacott and Tom Richards have signed on loan for National League South side Truro City.
I’m actually feeling the opposite - I think we have bought well and I’m hopeful for a good start tomorrow
Last season I was a subscriber to BCTV and although the coverage was weak at best I still enjoyed watching silent matches with no commentary. I have had no contact with BCFC about renewing my subscription so may I assume the club's contact with their flock is still as bad as it has always been? Another very early morning is in the works and I suppose I will just have to log in and see what happens - exciting isn't it?? Enjoy the season lads.
JUST READ UP ON THAT................. poor show city web pages still 3 months and more out of date .. show JoJo as the u 23's keeper
