Fulham have confirmed that goalkeeper Antti Niemi has retired from professional football.
Wrist injury forces goalkeeper to call time on playing career
Fulham have confirmed that goalkeeper Antti Niemi has retired from professional football.
The 36-year-old Finn has been forced to call time on his playing career due to a wrist injury.
He had hoped to carry on until the end of the season but has brought his retirement forward after a discussion with club bosses.
"My plan was always to finish my career after this contract, which runs out next summer," Niemi told Fulham's official website.
"Due to my wrist injury it would be another two months before I could start training again.
"I asked the club for their views. I was very grateful that they understood where I was coming from and thankfully we settled the contract so that the club would gain something and I would be happy with the terms.
"So it's come a little bit earlier than I expected."
Niemi moved to Craven Cottage from Southampton in 2006, while he has also had previous spells with Hearts and Rangers.
He also made 67 appearances for Finland after making his international debut in 1992.
Mark Schwarzer has started all three of Fulham's games this season, while David Stockdale and Pascal Zuberbuhler also arrived over the summer to compete for the goalkeeping spot.
