Shay Given

[Legion]

5 YEARS? Please tell me that is a joke.

He's a goalkeeper so it's not the end of the world from that standpoint. Brad stayed fit and just signed a two year deal at Spurs at the age of 40. Also, if he may decide to retire before then, you never know. Either way, if approaching 40 he's still in top form why get rid?

Oh and give the new bloke a break on the photo. He's in his mid-thirties looking down into a camera. Most of us would have three chins!! That top is horrible though. What the fuck are Nike thinking with these designs?

As a G-K, he's in his prime. The chin remarks are tongue-in-cheeks(s).

[Jimbo]

Great signing if he's anywhere near as consistent playing-wise as his predecessor. 

[PaulWinch again]

35 is fine for age thinking about it, provided he keeps fit he can play for a long time yet. I think he's a top signing. We now need to follow with several more.

[DaveD]

Excellent news, was my first choice from the moment we let Brad go. Five year contract is fine for a goalkeeper that age. Really pleased.

[GJH]

One of the best Premier league goal keepers in recent times, good signing.

[Toronto Villa]

5 YEARS? Please tell me that is a joke.

He's a goalkeeper so it's not the end of the world from that standpoint. Brad stayed fit and just signed a two year deal at Spurs at the age of 40. Also, if he may decide to retire before then, you never know. Either way, if approaching 40 he's still in top form why get rid?

Oh and give the new bloke a break on the photo. He's in his mid-thirties looking down into a camera. Most of us would have three chins!! That top is horrible though. What the fuck are Nike thinking with these designs?

As a G-K, he's in his prime. The chin remarks are tongue-in-cheeks(s).

surely it was a chin(s) remark?

Very happy with this signing. I hope this also brings out the best in Dunne and Ireland.

[Lobsterboy]

Welcome to Aston Villa Shay Given; top class keeper and still in his prime.

Hoping he can stay injury free and who knows he might even have a word with Fruitcake Ireland and get him to put some effort in!

[olaftab]

Best  deal ever. Well done everyone at VP for getting this one  done now move in and get N'Zogbia in this week.

[Legion]

Ever?

[olaftab]

Yes ever (so far) £3,5M for a top top GK  yes great deal unique in living memory.

[Risso]

A five year deal for a 35 year old with a dodgy recent fitness record is fairly insane though, however good he is.

[olaftab]

Yes I am surprised at the length of contract. 3 years would have been better.

[Rigadon]

Well, if he's still the same keeper from a couple of years ago we've got one of / if not the best in the league and you've got to be pleased with that for £3.5.

A 5 year contract is surprising however we never know how these things are structured.  For example he could start out at £50k a week and then tail off during the final couple of years. 

[ozzjim]

5 YEARS? Please tell me that is a joke.

He's a goalkeeper so it's not the end of the world from that standpoint. Brad stayed fit and just signed a two year deal at Spurs at the age of 40. Also, if he may decide to retire before then, you never know. Either way, if approaching 40 he's still in top form why get rid?

Oh and give the new bloke a break on the photo. He's in his mid-thirties looking down into a camera. Most of us would have three chins!! That top is horrible though. What the fuck are Nike thinking with these designs?

TV, there must be some propper gym buddies on here with the comments on his chin. Feck, from an above photo I look like I have 3 chins, let alone when my head is facing down at a camera! A bunch of pot bellied 30 plus fellas and a stick (yes Legion, you are a stick) giving a world class keeper stick for his chin on the first photo of him in a Villa shirt!!!


Now, get in goals ya fat bastard and keep some clean sheets.

[VillaZogmariner]

Not sure how true it is but someone was mentioning the other day that the deal is designed so that the last couple of seasons are as a player coach.