Antti Niemi: Another Star Slips Away From Football

It's something I bet most of you out there don't think about too much, but every season we lose countless players to retirement.

It was watching Soccer Aid that I realised I couldn't remember when Graeme Le Saux hung up his boots?

Most players don't have triumphant farewells like Alan Shearer, for example, and most don't even make the news.

A far cry from their golden days as Premier League stars.

One such man who has slipped away from the world of professional football is Finland's Antti Niemi.

The 36-year-old former goalkeeper has been forced to give up the game due to a wrist injury.

Niemi was always a favourite player of mine, and no one can deny he was a quality 'keeper. It's sad to hear of his retirement.

The Finn started his career at HJK, where he played over 100 games before earning a move to FC Copenhagen in Denmark.

Niemi made quite an impression at the Danish powerhouse and was named the FC Copenhagen Player of the Season in 1997.

His good form earned him a move to Rangers in Scotland, but it was there his career was to stall it's one and only time.

Rangers legend Andy Goram and then German star Stefan Klos held the No.1 spot at Ibrox and Antti could only manage 13 league games during his spell with the Glasgow giants.

One place his career was flourishing, however, was on the international stage where Niemi was Finland's No.1 for over 10 years, before he retired from international football in 2005.

Antti moved onto fellow Scottish side Hearts in 1999, where he re-established himself as a top class goalkeeper. It was during his time at Hearts that the Finn began to garner interest from the English Premier League, and he secured a move to Southampton in 2002.

It was to be a great move for Niemi who flourished in the Premier League, becoming one of the league's best goalkeepers. Southampton reached the FA Cup Final in 2003 and he was also named Finnish Footballer of the Year in what must have been a very happy season for the big 'keeper.

The next year he was voted Southampton's Player of the Season.

Sadly nothing lasts forever, and Southampton's time in the English top flight came to an end. Niemi stayed to try and help them win automatic promotion back to the top flight, but it wasn't to be and after 100+ games for the South Coast side, Niemi packed his bags and headed for London.

His destination was Fulham, where he was again to establish himself in the top flight as one of the best 'keepers around.

The veteran's spell at Craven Cottage was interrupted by injuries however, and his career has now sadly come to an end.

I'll always remember the big man and I'm sure you'll agree, he'll be missed.

Good luck in life Antti, we'll see you around.