Veteran goalkeeper Andy Lonergan has joined Championship side Stoke City on a short-term deal, as the club continue to deal with a goalkeeper shortage.
Andy Lonergan Joins Stoke City as Free Agent
Lonergan Latest Keeper to Sign For Stoke Following Injury Crisis
🧤 The Potters have furthered strengthened their goalkeeping resources by signing Andy Lonergan on a short-term contract.#SCFC 🔴⚪️
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) December 2, 2020
The 37-year-old joins Michael O’Neill’s side having been released by Liverpool at the end of last season. Stoke have signed Lonergan following a slew of injuries to their goalkeeping options.
Adam Davies was ruled out for four to eight weeks, after he picked up a knee injury against Swansea City. Then, on-loan keeper Angus Gunn suffered ankle ligament damage, which has resulted in a six-week layoff.
20-year-old Josef Bursik was then recalled from his loan spell at Doncaster Rovers, while Niki Maenpaa was signed as emergency cover.
The bad luck didn’t stop there though – Maenpaa picked up a hand injury just days after signing for the club on a short-term deal, resulting in Lonergan’s signing.
Stoke will be hoping Lonergan is able to produce the same durability he’s shown throughout his career.
Lonergan Fresh From Premier League Success With Liverpool
Lonergan spent last season at reigning Premier League champions Liverpool. Despite not playing a single game, manager Jurgen Klopp insisted that Lonergan receive a winner’s medal. “If people don’t understand how important the squad is to win the championship then I can’t help them to be honest,” Klopp said.
“Even if you have zero games you should win a medal, if you are part of the squad you should get a medal.”
It’s a gesture which Lonergan accepts will live long in the memory. Speaking to The Athletic, Lonergan remarked: “It sums this place up. It’s the best dressing room I’ve ever been with.
“I’ll look back one day and probably pinch myself that I was here and a part of it all. That I was part of a really good group.”
Lonergan is perhaps best known for his goal against Leicester City when playing for Preston North End 16 years ago – when he scored from the edge of his own box.
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