Latest news with #Flekken
Irish Post
9 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Kelleher set for Brentford move in goalkeeper shake-up
BRENTFORD are set to complete a major goalkeeping transfer as they bring in Liverpool's Caoimhín Kelleher. Brentford have agreed to an initial £12.5 million fee with Liverpool for Kelleher, with performance-based add-ons potentially increasing the total to £18 million. The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international is scheduled to undergo a medical on Monday and is expected to become Brentford's new number one goalkeeper for the 2025/26 season. Flekken, who joined Brentford from Freiburg last summer, will make the switch to Germany in a move worth around £11 million. The 31-year-old Dutchman is set to sign a contract with Leverkusen until 2028, joining up with former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag. Despite being Liverpool's backup to Alisson Becker, Kelleher enjoyed a lot of success during his time at Anfield. He made 25 Premier League appearances and over 40 in cup competitions during an era in which Liverpool claimed two Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, the FA Cup, League Cups, and a UEFA Super Cup. Brentford see the Cork native as an ideal fit for their team. Last season, he ranked among the Premier League's top goalkeepers in save percentage and completed passes. In fact, Kelleher finished just behind Flekken in passes attempted per 90 minutes. For the Republic of Ireland, Kelleher is already a key figure, having earned 22 senior caps. His move to Brentford is expected to cement his role as Ireland's first-choice keeper. National team boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has repeatedly called for Kelleher to find regular playing time. 'He's too good not to be playing,' Hallgrimsson said, according to Sky News. 'He's already shown he can perform at the highest level, whether it's in the Premier League or Champions League. What matters most is that he's on the pitch regularly.' With the deal nearing completion, Kelleher is joining a list of Ireland's greatest goalkeepers. Pat Jennings, widely regarded as Northern Ireland's greatest goalkeeper, earned 119 caps over his 20-year career. He played in two World Cups, including 1982, when he was 41. Jennings won the FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur before a move to Arsenal in 1977, where he added another FA Cup final appearance. Harry Gregg played 25 times for Northern Ireland and was named Best Goalkeeper at the 1958 World Cup, helping the team reach the quarter-finals. He is also remembered for his actions during the Munich Air Disaster, rescuing several people from the wreckage. Packie Bonner, playing for the Republic of Ireland, made over 80 international appearances. His defining moment came at the 1990 World Cup, when he saved a penalty in a shootout against Romania, helping Ireland reach the quarter-finals for the first time ever. Roy Carroll earned 45 caps for Northern Ireland. At club level, he won the Premier League and FA Cup with Manchester United and later enjoyed success with Olympiacos in Greece. From local clubs to the World Cup, Kelleher joins a list of goalkeepers that will be remembered in Irish football history.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bayer Leverkusen seal Mark Flekken capture
Former FC Freiburg Keeper Mark Flekken is officially back in the Bundesliga. Bayer Leverkusen confirmed the signing of the Brentford man yesterday. Contrary to previous reports, it appears as if Leverkusen have largely acceded to Brentford's demands. Flekken's new contract runs through 2028. Kicker claims that Germany's red company team have delivered a base-transfer-fee of around €10m. The amount can easily rise closer to Brentford's initial demands of €13m if certain performance-based incentives are reached. Advertisement Brentford thus stand to recoup the €13m they initially paid for the Dutch international. After a difficult first year in the Premier League, Flekken was able to string together more consistency for the London outfit last season. 'Mark exudes impressive physical presence and has certainly been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League over the past two years,' B04 sporting director Simon Rolfes noted in a club statement. 'He knows the Bundesliga from his successful time in Freiburg. His years in England and his role in the Dutch national team have also given Mark a great deal of international experience. This means we are very well set up in goal for the coming years.' 'This is another special step in my career,' Flekken himself added. 'The many matches against world-class professionals in England have helped me progress even further. I'm very happy to be able to bring my qualities to a top German club with high national and European goals. I love the Bundesliga and am naturally looking forward to playing for the Werkself in the Champions League.' GGFN | Peter Weis
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Leverkusen sign Flekken from Brentford
Bayer Leverkusen have announced the signing of goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Brentford. The 31-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the Bundesliga side in an undisclosed deal that is reportedly worth €10 million. Advertisement Flekken initially joined the Bees from Freiburg in summer 2023 to replace the outgoing David Raya and has since then featured 77 times for the club. During the 2024/25 season, Flekken made 150 seasons in total – the most of any goalkeeper in the top five European leagues – with a save percentage of 73.4. "Mark has proven to be a seamless replacement for David Raya, who set an extremely high standard during his years with us," said Brentford Director of Football, Phil Giles "We were expecting Mark to be our goalkeeper for many more years, however when Bayer Leverkusen made it known that they wanted to do this transfer, and Mark made it clear that he was interested in moving closer to home and with a possibility of Champions League football, we turned our attention towards how all parties could make this happen. "Mark has done a great job for us and leaves with our thanks and support."
Fox Sports
a day ago
- Business
- Fox Sports
Bayer Leverkusen signs goalkeeper Flekken from Brentford, which enlists Kelleher as replacement
Associated Press LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) — Bayer Leverkusen's summer of rebuilding continued Tuesday by bringing goalkeeper Mark Flekken back to the Bundesliga from Brentford. The Premier League club reacted immediately by announcing the signing of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool as Flekken's replacement. The 31-year-old Flekken, a Netherlands international, signed a three-year deal to work under fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag, the former Manchester United coach who recently replaced Xabi Alonso as Leverkusen coach. Media reports suggested Leverkusen was paying a fee of at least 10 million euros ($11.4 million) for Flekken, who is expected to take the No. 1 jersey from the 35-year-old Lukas Hradecky after Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar failed to convince when given the chance last season. 'Flekken possesses a wide range of skills that a goalkeeper in modern top-flight football needs," Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said. 'He has strong reflexes, good control of the penalty area, and, thanks to his height of 1.95 meters, has tremendous reach.' Flekken spent two years at Brentford, making 77 appearances for the Premier League club after joining in 2023 from Freiburg, which he had helped to fifth place in the Bundesliga. 'We were expecting Mark to be our goalkeeper for many more years, however when Bayer Leverkusen made it known that they wanted to do this transfer, and Mark made it clear that he was interested in moving closer to home and with a possibility of Champions League football, we turned our attention towards how all parties could make this happen," Brentford director of football Phil Giles said. Flekken has the chance to compete for the biggest titles with the 2024 Bundesliga champion. 'To be able to contribute my qualities to a top German club with ambitious national and European goals now makes me very happy," Flekken said. "I love the Bundesliga and, of course, I'm also looking forward to challenging for the Champions League with the Werkself.' Flekken's arrival is just one transfer among many expected over a busy summer at Leverkusen, which is rebuilding following Alonso's departure for Real Madrid. Team captain Johnathan Tah's contract expired before he joined Bayern Munich, and wing-back Jeremie Frimpong switched to Liverpool, with whom Leverkusen is involved in negotiations over star player Florian Wirtz. Leverkusen signed 21-year-old defender Tim Oermann from relegated Bochum and promptly loaned him to Austrian champion Sturm Graz, while it also snapped up highly rated teenager Ibrahim Maza from second-division club Hertha Berlin. It has also loaned promising midfielder Francis Onyeka to Bochum for next season in the second division. Less than an hour after Flekken's signing was confirmed, Brentford announced the arrival of Kelleher on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The 26-year-old Kelleher was the No. 2 goalkeeper at Liverpool behind Alisson Becker. 'We have scouted him in the past and were aware that he had a year to go on his contract with Liverpool this summer,' Giles said. 'When Mark Flekken had the opportunity to move to Bayer Leverkusen, we immediately thought about Caoimhín as his replacement." Kelleher made 67 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions. ___ AP soccer: recommended
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Brentford sells Flekken to Bayer Leverkusen and signs Kelleher as replacement goalie
LONDON (AP) — Brentford sold Mark Flekken to Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday and immediately announced a replacement goalkeeper, bringing in Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool. Flekken, a Netherlands international, signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee and will work under fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag, the former Manchester United coach who recently joined Leverkusen. Advertisement Lukas Hradecky is Leverkusen's current goalkeeper but will have to fight for his place with Flekken. 'Mark Flekken possesses a wide range of skills that a goalkeeper in modern top-flight football needs," Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said. 'He has strong reflexes, good control of the penalty area, and, thanks to his height of 1.95 meters, has tremendous reach.' The 31-year-old Flekken spent two years at Brentford, making 77 appearances for the Premier League club. 'We were expecting Mark to be our goalkeeper for many more years, however when Bayer Leverkusen made it known that they wanted to do this transfer, and Mark made it clear that he was interested in moving closer to home and with a possibility of Champions League football, we turned our attention towards how all parties could make this happen," Brentford director of football Phil Giles said. Advertisement Flekken previously played in Germany with Duisburg and Freiburg, but has the chance to compete for the biggest titles with the 2024 Bundesliga champion. 'To be able to contribute my qualities to a top German club with ambitious national and European goals now makes me very happy," Flekken said. "I love the Bundesliga and, of course, I'm also looking forward to challenging for the Champions League with the Werkself.' Less than an hour after Flekken's signing was confirmed, Brentford announced the arrival of Kelleher on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The Ireland international was the No. 2 goalkeeper at Liverpool behind Alisson Becker. 'We have scouted him in the past and were aware that he had a year to go on his contract with Liverpool this summer,' Giles said. Advertisement 'When Mark Flekken had the opportunity to move to Bayer Leverkusen, we immediately thought about Caoimhín as his replacement." Kelleher made 67 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions. ___ AP soccer: The Associated Press
