Stoke City have signed goalkeeper Niki Mäenpää on a short-term contract until the middle of January.
The 35-year old shot-stopper joins the Potters to bolster their goalkeeping ranks following injuries to Adam Davies and Angus Gunn.
Stoke City Sign Niki Mäenpää
Stoke City can confirm the signing of Niki Mäenpää on a short-term contract.
Welcome to the Club, Niki 👍#SCFC 🔴⚪
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) November 27, 2020
‘Experienced’ Mäenpää Brought in to Plug Stoke City’s Goalkeeper Crisis
After losing Davies (knee) and Gunn (ankle) over the last month, Stoke City were forced to recall England U21 goalkeeper Joe Bursik from his loan spell at Doncaster Rovers. The 20-year old has started the last two matches, backed up by teenagers Blondy Nna Noukeu and Nathan Broome.
Approaching a busy schedule and uncertain of when Davies and Gunn could return, manager Michael O’Neill signed Mäenpää as an emergency back-up.
Speaking about his decision, O’Neill said: “We are obviously without two senior goalkeepers at the moment in Adam Davies and Angus Gunn.
“The situation left us bringing Joe Bursik back who’s 20 years of age, while our other two goalkeepers are 19 and 17 respectively, so it makes sense to bring a senior goalkeeper in on a short-term basis.
“Nikki has a lot of experience, and he obviously played in the Championship last season for Bristol City.
“He’s come on the basis that if he’s needed to play then it’s good for us to have that senior figure around the club.
“It’s a short-term contract until the middle of January and it suits both parties.”
Mäenpää Brings Four Seasons of English Football Experience
The 35-year old Finn spent seven seasons plying his trade in the Netherlands before joining Brighton and Hove Albion in 2016.
After making just one first-team appearance for the then-Championship side, Mäenpää joined Bristol City in 2018. He made 26 appearances in his first season for the Robins, helping them to an 8th place finish, before making a further four appearances last season.
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