👐⚽️ #lcfcaustria The Goal Keepers Union

Jul 11, 2017
4 min read

Daniel Iversen Development Squad, Kasper Schmeichel Leicester No1 and Ben Hamer currently 3rd choice

just who is Daniel Iversen who has travelled with the squad to Austria

Daniel Iversen Goalkeeper Date of birth: 19 July, 1997

A talented shot-stopper, Denmark youth international Daniel Iversen joined the Club in January 2016 on a three-and-a-half-year contract from Esbjerg for an undisclosed fee before immediately impressing for the Development Squad.

His ability sees him regarded as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Europe. Having played for the Danish youth sides at Under-16s and Under-19s levels, Iversen has plenty of experience, too, despite his age.

Iversen made 15 appearances for the City Development Squad as they secured their Premier League 2 Division 1 status at the end of last season. Included within those were numerous fine displays to help his side pick-up crucial victories over the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

Ben Hamer currently 3rd Choice

The 29-year-old shot stopper joined on a four-year deal and provides some fierce competition in City’s goalkeeping ranks.

Ben Hamer spent three seasons at the Valley following an August 2011 move from Reading – the club with whom he began his career after signing as a 15-year-old.

Under the guidance of former City man Chris Powell, Hamer flourished for the Addicks, and was one of the standout performers for the Addicks in 2013/14, playing a key role in their survival.

Having represented the Club at Premier League and UEFA Champions League level, as well as enjoying a short loan spell with Bristol City, the 6ft 4ins goalkeeper is an imposing and commanding figure in the penalty area.

Despite never appearing for Reading in the league as a youngster, Hamer wasted no time in building an impressive reputation for himself out on loan.

That started with a 45-game spell at Crawley Town during 2006/07 – during which he was named Player of the Season for the then Conference outfit.

Four separate loan spells with Brentford followed for Hamer, of which the 2008/09 campaign was a standout one for the Taunton-born ‘keeper.

He helped the Bees storm to the League 2 title and kept a hugely impressive 20 clean sheets along the way.

Hamer missed just one match that season, and after another series of standout performances on loan at Exeter, then Charlton boss Powell swooped for his services in 2011.

The Addicks clinched the League 1 title in his first season, and the custodian proved to be a mainstay of the Charlton team ever since – making over 120 appearances in three seasons across all competitions.

Hamer, who is a fluent German speaker having lived in the country for part of his childhood, played twice against the Foxes in 2013/14, including Charlton’s 2-1 win at the Valley.

He made his league debut for City in the 1-0 victory at Stoke City in September 2014 – the Foxes’ first win of the 2014/15 Premier League campaign – before going on to make a further 16 appearances in all competitions over the course of the coming years.

Hamer spent time on loan at Bristol City in 2015/16, before appearing for the Foxes in the Champions League against FC Porto the following season.

Kasper Schmeichel currently no1 keeper

Kasper joined Leicester from Leeds United for an undisclosed fee in June 2011 and has since enjoyed a magnificent career at King Power Stadium.

The Dane earned his trade in the ranks at cross-city rivals Manchester City and was handed his Premier League debut in August 2007.

He made nine further first team appearances between loan spells with Darlington, Bury, Falkirk, Cardiff and Coventry, before finally departing Eastlands in 2009, when Sven Goran Eriksson, recently appointed director of football, took him to Notts County.

During his solitary season at Meadow Lane, Kasper provided the foundation for the Magpies’ 2010 League 2 triumph, playing 43 league games and earning a place in the PFA Team of the Year as County were promoted to League 1.

Schmeichel’s star, however, was on even steeper curve and his joined Championship side Leeds on a free transfer that summer. He made 40 appearances during his only campaign at Elland Road, culminating in his first call-up to the senior Denmark squad in May 2011.

Named Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at the end of his first season with Leicester in 2011/12, Kasper’s outstanding performances were further rewarded when he was called up to Denmark’s Euro 2012 squad.

The 2012/13 campaign again proved to be one full of stellar performances from the Dane, whose saves rescued the Foxes on countless occasions – his wonder stop against Blackburn at King Power Stadium in February 2013 earning him the Champagne Moment at the end of season awards.

City’s only ever-present that season, Kasper’s outstanding and consistent performances were recognised by the national side on 6 February, 2013, as he made full debut for Denmark in a friendly match against Macedonia, before being named in the PFA Championship Team of the Season.

In 2013/14, Kasper’s consistent performances saw him again named in the PFA Championship Team of the Season as an ever-present, resulting in a number of clubs seeking his signature in the summer.

In the Premier League, Schmeichel continued to excel in 2014/15. After missing several months with a foot injury, he returned to the side in fantastic form to play his part in the team’s survival.

In April 2014 Schmeichel was voted into the Football League’s Team of the Decade alongside team-mate and captain Wes Morgan.

It was perhaps during the 2015/16 campaign that Kasper most impressed. His 15 clean sheets – bettered only by Arsenal’s Petr Cech – helped the Foxes storm to their first-ever Premier League title.

Kasper signed a new contract in August 2016, keeping him at the Club until June 2021, and he enjoyed a productive following season.

He was named both Players' Player and Player of the Year at the 2016/17 Season Awards, having shown incredible consistency throughout the term.