HO SOCCER UK TIME LINE
Please click on any month in red for news on HO SOCCER
February 2012
HO SOCCER congratulates Tom Heaton and Cardiff City on reaching the 2012 League Cup Final after beating Crystal Palace in the recent League Cup semi Final. Tom was a double 'penalty save' hero in the semi final and his reward will be to face Liverpool in the final at Wembley on 26th Feb. Good luck Tom!
1st August 2011
Newcastle F.C and England U 20's keeper Jak Alnwick signs with HO SOCCER.
22nd July 2011
SL Benfica have signed 30-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper Artur, the UEFA Europa League finalist sealing a four-year deal after impressing during a season-long loan at SC Braga.
"I've chosen Benfica because of the ambitious project that was presented to me," said Artur, who played nine times in this season's UEFA Europa League, including in this week's 1-0 final defeat by FC Porto. "I am happy I have made the right choice."
Artur became Braga's No1 in the spring, conceding just four goals en route to Wednesday's Europa showpiece in Dublin . A product of the Cruzeiro EC youth ranks, he spent the 2006 campaign on loan at Coritiba FC before moving to AC Siena in January 2008. He soon departed for AC Cesena but headed for Roma in June of that year only to make just one Serie A start in 2009/10, prompting a loan to Braga this term. Benfica will feature in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round after finishing second in the Portuguese Liga, 21 points adrift of champions Porto.
9th July 2011
Premiership new boys Swansea City are set to complete the signing of Benfica's Jose Moreira after agreeing terms with the goalkeeper.
The 29-year-old will sign a two-year contract with the Premier League newcomers for an undisclosed fee.
Moreira arrived for talks at the Liberty Stadium on Friday and soon agreed terms, with a medical to seal the deal scheduled for Monday.
It's my dream to play in the Premier League and I'm delighted to get my chance with Swansea City, Moreira said according to Swansea's official website.
I have been at Benfica for 12 years and, while it will be hard to leave, I need a new challenge in my career.
I'd like to thank the Benfica supporters, who have been fantastic to me over the years, but I think they will understand my decision.
I believe the experience I've gained at such a big club as Benfica and with Portugal will help me achieve success in the Premier League for Swansea.
I've had very good conversations with the manager Brendan Rodgers and the chairman Huw Jenkins and had a good look around Swansea and the stadium, which is beautiful.
I watched Swansea's game at Wembley against Reading on the internet and I was very impressed. I can't wait to get started.
The Portugal international has one cap for his country and made 148 appearances for Benfica, helping them to win the League Cup last season.
July 2011
Coventry City Football Club have snapped up Chris Dunn on a three-year contract.
The Sky Blues lost Keiren Westwood to Sunderland when his contract expired earlier this summer, and they have since been looking for a top-class replacement.
And the man manager Andy Thorn believes can fill the void is 23-year-old Dunn, who has joined the Ricoh Arena club from Northampton Town on an undisclosed fee.
"I am absolutely delighted that we have signed Chris," said the City boss. "I know for a fact that a Premier League club was interested in him but we have managed to get it done quickly."
June 2011
EUROPA CUP WINNER HELTON SIGNS NEW CONTRACT
Helton has agreed a new three-year contract with Porto. The Brazilian goalkeeper has extended his stay at the Europa League champions until 2014 after making 44 appearances during the 2010/11 season and helping his team to European glory.
Helton showed great form last season, playing an important role in helping his club to victory in the Portuguese league and cup along with success in the Europa League.
Helton joined Porto in 2005 after spending three years at fellow Portuguese Liga club Uniao Leiria and has gone onto win 10 major honours at the club.
Helton, who has 16 caps for the Brazilian national side had been linked with a move back to his native country with former club Vasco da Gama in the frame.
July 2010
Genoa have completed the signing of HO SOCCER sponsored goalkeeper Eduardo from Braga for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old had a starring role for Portugal and was one of the best keepers at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, where he only conceded once, in their 1-0 defeat by Spain in the Round of 16. Eduardo, who was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal is Genoa's third reinforcement this summer. Eduardo replaces Italian goalkeeper Marco Amelia, who joined AC Milan last month on a one-year loan deal from Genoa.
Genoa have announced that Eduardo will be moving on loan to S.L Benfica for the 2011-2012 season.
June 2010
Highly rated young English keeper Max Johnson has left Newcastle F.C to join newly promoted Iverness on a 1 year contract, after impressing Manager Terry Butcher. Max had spent 3 years at Newcastle F.C and turned out several times for the reserves last season. Max is now looking forward to challanging for a first team place at his new club. HO SOCCER wish him the best of luck for the new season.
June 2010
Star keeper EDUARDO of Braga and Portugal National team will wear HO SOCCER at the World Cup Finals in South Africa.
December 2009
Due to the changing technical advancements in ball design, for JAN 2010 HO SOCCER will introduce the new GHOTTA glove range with Hybrid palm technology GHOTTA utilizes a unique one piece glove cut offering a better fit and improves the art of catching the ball.
July 2009
The new HO SOCCER 2009/10 season glove and clothing range is now available at all good specalist keeper stores and sports shops.
June 2009
Armando Riveiro of Athletic Club De Bilbao and the Portugal National team has agreed terms to wear HO SOCCER gloves
December 2008
HO SOCCER is proud to announce that top rated Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has agreed to wear HO SOCCER gloves.
Carl's contract was due to expire in 2010 but will be extended after a string of fine performances from the shot-stopper, which has also attracted interested from Premier League clubs. A product of the club's academy, Ikeme has featured 11 times for the Championship leaders this term after dislodging Wayne Hennessey when the first-choice keeper was suspended for the Bristol City game.
Carl finally made his debut in the League Cup on 23 August 2005, in a 5-1 win over Chester City. However, although often on the bench, he had to wait until 26 August 2006 for his first league appearance for the club as a late substitute in a 1-0 win over Luton Town.
He has also made league appearances for both Accrington Stanley and Stockport County during loan periods. Carl suffered a knee injury during the 2006/07 season and had to undergo surgery, which kept him out of contention until late 2007.
He made his full league debut for Wolves on 27 September 2008 in a 2-0 win over Bristol City, deputising for the suspended regular goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. but soon returned to the team after Hennessey was dropped in the next game, but suffered a knee injury that allowed Hennessey returned to the side in his place.
December 2008
HO SOCCER signs exciting young England under 17's prospect Ryan Allsop currently playing at West Bromwich Albion.
Ryan came to WBA at 15 years old and has developed thru the Community Development Centre. He is an excellent shot stopper and has excellent distribution. The highly-rated Hawthorns stopper was called into the U17 squad for the Nordic Tournament in the summer of 2008 and made the perfect start to his international career by keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Finland in Sweden. HO SOCCER wish Ryan continued success in his career.
11th October 08
HO SOCCER is very happy to announce the signing of young Brentford keeper Dexter Burt
Dexter Burt's first experience with a pro club was at the age of 11 with a trial at Reading F.C. After a years trial period, unfortunately nothing materialised, but Dexter was then offered a trial at Brentford and he took the opportunity. After just a week and 2 training sessions Dexter was signed on a 2 year deal. Two years on (in 2005) he was playing 'up an age group' at u14 and u15s and then signed a contract again to take him up to the end of his full time education in 2008.
Dexter then spent pre season with the Brentford youth team during the summer and played in a couple of games with the u16's. In January 2008, as an u16, Dexter made his youth team league debut in an u18s match and performed well in a 1-1 draw with Colchester.
He went on to play in the one of the final league games of the season in 2008, v Southend United and in April 2008 Dexter signed a full apprenticeship with Brentford F.C and is currently a valued member of the Brentford youth team squad and regularly training with the First team keepers.
July 2008
ELITE PRO
HO SOCCER UK will launch the new 2008/09 collection of gloves and clothing, including the Elite Glove offering a unique and bespoke fit.
21st July 08
HO SOCCER is very happy to announce the signing of Max Johnson, the exciting young Newcastle keeper. Max has had an amazing sporting life, for one so young, and has participated in many sports at a high level before deciding his heart was set on becoming a Professional goalkeeper and playing at the highest level possible.
Max was invited to train with Liverpool F.C before going on to sign with Bury F.C in April 06 and making his senior Bury debut in a friendly in August 06.
Max has also trained with Tottenham Hotspur before being offered a scholarship at Newcastle United F.C in Oct 07.
HO SOCCER will work closely with Max over the coming months and years and will offer continued product support, as he continues in his development.
July 2008
CASPER ANKERGREN OF LEEDS UNITED SIGNS FOR HO SOCCER
HO SOCCER is proud to announce the signing of Leeds United star goalkeeper Casper Ankergren
In January 2007 Casper signed a loan deal with English club Leeds United who were battling relegation in the Football League Championship. Casper signed for the remainder of the 2006-07 Football League season, with an option for Leeds to buy him at a fixed transfer fee at the end of the season.
Casper established himself as a firm favourite with the Leeds fans, putting in a number of match saving saves and performances. His popularity was further increased during the 1-0 victory over Luton Town when he made his second penalty save since joining Leeds. Casper made it known that he wanted to continue his stay at Leeds past his loan spell; whilst then Leeds' manager Dennis Wise stated he would like to keep him at the club.
Casper Ankergren transferred to Leeds for an undisclosed fee from Brondby, signing a three year contract on 6 August 2007. Casper went on to be first choice goalkeeper in the 2007-08 season.
July 2008
SAINT TOMMY
HO SOCCER congratulates Tommy Forecast on his newly signed 5 year contract with Southampton F.C. A number of clubs had shown interest in Tommy but after meeting with Southampton on Friday 4th July his mind was made up.
Whilst at his previous club Spurs, Tommy took his place on the first-team bench on six occasions in 2007-08, underlining his continued development.
A product of the Spurs Academy system, Tommy came to the fore in 2004-05 with a string of fine displays as the Under-18s reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup, including saves in a penalty shoot-out at Anfield!
June 2008
HO SOCCER SIGNS HAMILTON KEEPER SEAN MURDOCH
On the 6th May 2008 Sean Murdoch signed for Scottish Premier League Scottish Premier side Hamilton Academical, where he had been on loan earlier in his career.
Manager BILLY Reid says, Hamilton are in safe hands after signing goalkeeper Sean Murdoch from Dunfermline on a two-year deal. Reid moved swiftly to snap up the 21-year-old after keeper Bryn Halliwell rejected a contract extension.
Sean is no stranger to Accies fans, having played for the club on loan during season 2006/07, and he will compete with Czech international Tomas Cerny to be first choice.
Sean started his career playing in the youth teams at Hearts and joined Dunfermline full time in the summer of 2003.
He moved on loan for the 2005-06 season to Forfar Athletic in order to get some first team experience. In the second half of the 2006-07 Sean moved on loan to First Division team Hamilton Academical.
June 2008
STEVE MILDENHALL SIGNS FOR SOUTHEND UNITED
Southend assistant boss Paul Brush says Steve Mildenhall will be United's first-choice keeper this season. Steve joined the Shrimpers on a free transfer from Yeovil last month initially to provide competition for Flahavan. But free agent Flahavan has rejected a new one-year deal to pursue a move to Crystal Palace, handing Mildenhall the number one spot at the club.
"As far as we are aware Darryl will be leaving us to join Crystal Palace and we wish him all the best," Brush told the club's official website.
"Steve Mildenhall is going to be our number one goalkeeper for this season and our goalkeeping coach Lee Turner began working with him on Wednesday.
Courtesy of: www.teamtalk.com
June 2008
HO SOCCER SIGNS YOUNG CARDIFF CITY KEEPER JORDAN SANTIAGO
HO SOCCER welcomes their latest young signing Jordan Santiago and his family to England. Jordan has left his previous club; 1991 Calgary Blizzard in Canada and will begin an exciting new chapter in his life and football career as a 1st year trainee with Championship side Cardiff City.
After impressing in various tournaments and trials with other teams in England Jordan landed a trial at Cardiff City. He spent 7 weeks at the club and shortly after Christmas he received a call from and was offered a 2-year apprenticeship contract with Cardiff.
June 2008
HO SOCCER SIGNS YOUNG SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY KEEPER AARON JAMESON
Exciting 'owls' prospect Aaron Jameson graduated from the Sheffield Wednesday academy and has now signed professionally for the club.
Aaron was already 6ft 3in by the age of 18 and has a very athletic build. To gain more experience he went to Huddersfield Town on loan and came back a far more experienced player helping him to take his game to the next level.
He has been involved in training with the first-team keepers and certainly looks likely to be a top keeper for the future, as he begins his push towards the first team.
June 2008
HO SOCCER SIGNS YOUNG MANCHESTER CITY KEEPER TOBIAS JOHANSEN
Before joining Manchester City in Jan 08 Tobias Johansen played in the Norwegian conference getting a spot in the Norwegian u-17 squad for the Nordic Championship.
In November 2007 Tobias was given a trial at Manchester City, and joined their academy in January 2008.
May 2008
After months of hard work HO SOCCER UK is proud to announce the launch of their brand new Website.
HO SOCCER introduce their new 'Boomerang style corporate logo' which will be used on most of the new gloves and clothing for next season.
September 2007
HO SOCCER sign Premiership and England star keeper David James.
July 2006
HO SOCCER, one of Europe's leading goalkeeping companies, with more then 200 professional keepers, introduces first collection of gloves and clothing in the UK.