Azkals goalkeeper Etheridge to sign new deal with Fulham

By Cedelf P. Tupas
PDI

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino-British goalie Neil Etheridge is expected to sign a fresh deal this week that will keep him with English Premiere League side Fulham for the next two years.

It will be the longest contract in the budding career of the 22-year-old Azkals keeper, who rose from the Fulham Academy ranks to break into the first team this season when he was an unused substitute for several games last October and January.

“I’m happy to be signing a new two-year deal at Fulham,” Etheridge said in a message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“I have been working for this all year, now I have more stability in my contract, which allows me to go out on loan and experience other routes.”

Etheridge played 11 times for the national team over the past six months and was a standout performer in the Suzuki Cup in 2010 and the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying tournament last month.

Based in London, Fulham, owned by British businessman Mohammed Al-Fayed and managed by former Manchester United star Mark Hughes, has been accommodating to Etheridge’s request to extend his stints with the national side, especially last December during the Suzuki Cup.

“Fulham have always been good to me and now I can slowly repay the favor by being a larger part of their first team,” Etheridge added.

Azkals manager Dan Palami welcomed the development in Etheridge’s career, saying the goalkeeper’s stay at Fulham would only develop him further and benefit the national team.