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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Azkals star Neil Etheridge completes transfer move to Birmingham City

Azkals star Neil Etheridge completes transfer move to Birmingham City

Published Sep 11, 2020 05:17 pm
Neil Etheridge shows his goalkeeper kit after completing a transfer move to Birmingham City. (Photo from Birmingham City FC)

Neil Etheridge completed a transfer move to English Football League Championship side Birmingham City on a four-year deal, the club announced on Friday.

The Philippine Azkals goalkeeper joins Birmingham after playing three seasons with Cardiff City, the club he helped secure promotion to the top-tier English Premier League two seasons ago.

Etheridge endured a difficult 2019-20 campaign following Cardiff City’s relegation to the Championship. He suffered a hamstring injury during the first match of the season and eventually lost his starting spot to Alex Smithies.

Cardiff missed out on a Premier League promotion after losing to Etheridge’s former club Fulham in the first round of the Championship playoff.

“Firstly I’d just like to take the time to say a massive thank you to Cardiff City FC for everything they’ve done for me. The past three years we’ve had such an amazing time together, being promoted in my first season to the Premier League, and even though we were relegated we gave it a right go in the best league in the world!” Etheridge said on his Instagram account. 

Etheridge joined Cardiff from Walsall for the 2017-18 season, and his role as starting goalie enabled the Blue Birds to finish second in the Championship and a Premier League promotion.

He made a strong impression in his Premier League rookie season in the 2018-19 EPL campaign despite Cardiff’s relegation back to the Championship, getting the nod as the club’s Player of the Year award.

“I would like to thank all you guys, the supporters for everything, all the people behind the scenes that make that club run so that we as players can get out there end entertain and of course all the players and friends that I played with during my time with the club. We made some fantastic memories together and I’ll never forget the part the Club and supporters played. I wish the club every success in the future,” Etheridge said.

Rumors of Etheridge’s departure have been swirling since the January transfer window, with English media reporting interest from Premier League outfit West Ham.

But pundits say that joining West Ham may force Etheridge to accept a role of backing up veteran keeper Lukas Fabianski.

Related Tags

Azkals Philippine Azkals Birmingham City FC Birmingham City Cardiff City FC Cardiff City Neil Etheridge English Football League Championship
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