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Pompey sign keeper Niemi

By James Riach

Friday 7 August 2009 15:16, UK

Image: Niemi: Joins Portsmouth

Experienced goalkeeper Antti Niemi has come out of retirement to join Portsmouth on a free transfer.

Former Fulham stopper joins Pompey in one-year deal

Experienced goalkeeper Antti Niemi has come out of retirement to join Premier League club Portsmouth on a free transfer. The former Finland international left Fulham in September 2008 and called time on a lengthy career that saw spells at Rangers, Hearts and Southampton. Pompey boss Paul Hart believes the 37-year-old shot-stopper will provide competition for No.1 David James and also allow the younger keepers in the squad to get some experience. "Antti has got vast experience and will be a welcome addition to the squad," he told the club's official website. "Our goalkeeping coach David Coles worked with him in the past and told me all about his character and his quality. "He has a massive appetite to succeed and he relishes a challenge. "It provides David James with some good competition and also allows Asmir Begovic to go out on loan, while Jamie Ashdown needs first-team football as well." Goalkeeper coach Coles worked with Niemi at Southampton where he proved to be a massive success on the South Coast - helping Saints reach the 2003 FA Cup final.

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