Opinion

‘Announce Champions League’ – Canaries fans excited by calibre of keeper signing

David Freezer

Published: 6:12 PM July 5, 2019 Updated: 11:04 PM October 10, 2020

Schalke keeper Ralf Fahrmann has joined Norwich City on loan Picture: Scott Heavey/PA - Credit: PA Archive/PA Images

The signing of Ralf Fahrmann got some Norwich City supporters rather excited this afternoon, after the goalkeeper’s season-long loan from Bundesliga side Schalke was confirmed

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— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) July 5, 2019

1?⃣9?⃣6?⃣ Bundesliga appearances
4?⃣0?⃣ Champions League/Europa League games

Wilkommen, Ralf! #ncfc pic.twitter.com/DU5OGbyN8q
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) July 5, 2019

Ralf is looking forward to meeting you all... #ncfc pic.twitter.com/FQTBs7zDnX
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) July 5, 2019

Absolute coup for the club exactly what we needed to give Krul some serious competition #NCFC https://t.co/6neSmkRAGy
— Sonny Antcliffe (@sonnyantcliffe7) July 5, 2019

ALL THE GERMANS SO MANY GERMANS, THEY ALL GO HAND IN HAND, HAND IN HAND THROUGH THEIR (everyone) FARKE LIFE. . . .
— n (@N_NCFC) July 5, 2019

Not sure on this Fahrmann bloke. Looked on Wikipedia - 30 years old and not a single goal! #ncfc
— Will Bunn (@wbunny) July 5, 2019

In Fahrmann #ncfc have a goalkeeper who if he was any nationality other than German, he'd have 30-40 international caps to his name. He's lost his way but quality doesn't just disappear an Farke is perfect for players like this. Massively positive move.
— Matt Johnson (@mattjohnson333) July 5, 2019

All the Norwich fans right now!!! pic.twitter.com/DLtWJMpGiW
— Harry Woodhouse (@HarryWoodhous14) July 5, 2019

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— Harley Gill (@HarleyGill9) July 5, 2019

What a signing! pic.twitter.com/RWWg6HEHBX
— Joe?? (@Joe__THFC) July 5, 2019

The 30-year-old has been brought in to provide strong competition for current City number one Tim Krul, with Northern Ireland veteran Michael McGovern to provide cover.

Fahrmann has spent the majority of his career with Schalke and has almost 200 Bundesliga appearances on his CV and 40 in the Champions League or Europa League.

However, after wearing the captain's armband for the first half of a disappointing last campaign, he spent the second half either injured or covering for highly-rated youngster Alexander Nubel.

Schalke slumped from runners-up in the Bundesliga in 2018, to finishing 14th last season, although they did reach the first knockout stages of the Champions League.

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The arrival completes Farke's keeper options ahead of pre-season fixtures beginning, with Krul signing a new deal to extend his terms until 2022 since his key role in last's season's Championship title success.

- Take a look at some of the best of the reaction to the signing above and below

What a signing! He's absolutely brilliant
— Sean Kirk (@Seankirk27) July 5, 2019

Congrats! I am a Schalke supporter but have been living near Norwich for almost two years. I like the canaries a lot and can assure you that you will get a great goalkeeper and a great lad. Ralf is unique!!! All the best in the Premier League!!
— Alain Boschung (@aboschung70) July 5, 2019

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— (@Hoolaholic) July 5, 2019

Feels like a great signing. I have a good friend who I worked with here who is now back in Germany and is a season ticket holder at Schalke. He rates him highly, says they are sad he isn't their first choice, has never let them down and is hugely popular with their fans.
— Mark Dubai Canary (@CanaryDubai) July 5, 2019

Decent a few years back, had a shaky season last year in a poor schalke side. If he rediscovers the form of old then this is a class signing!
— Circa88uk (@circa88uk) July 5, 2019

Announce Champions League
— Chris (@DeadlyDrmic) July 5, 2019

Alles Gute Ralle!!! ?? pic.twitter.com/6RRZ98hny5
— Kay (@Kay_1904) July 5, 2019

pic.twitter.com/buqbReCrbF
— Ian C (@Jaf1981) July 5, 2019

Ralf Fährmann obviously isn't the goalkeeper he used to be. But to count him out or to expect him to be a world beater is unfair. An undoubted upgrade on Krul and maybe the best keeper outside the top 10. Judge him at Christmas rather than now. #ncfc
— Tristan long (@TristanlongLong) July 5, 2019

and secondly, he knows what it's like to be given a real chance to prove yourself when things, in recent past times, haven't quite gone to plan.

Good luck to the both of them. Both very good goalkeepers. Let the battle commence for the number 1 slot #ncfc #otbc

2/2
— Mags (@mags171124) July 5, 2019

Wow, how nice are #S04 fans when interacting about Fahrmann

Should be a great atmosphere in the pre season friendly between both sets of fans. Wagner a class act too #ncfc
— Ian C (@Jaf1981) July 5, 2019

Seems a good question. Reputation and experience imply his shot stopping doesn't need to be questioned but the way we play, it's the speed of his mind and his feet that I'll be looking out for in pre-season. #NCFC https://t.co/wQdlxDTMOK
— Jonny Balchin (@JonnyBalchin) July 5, 2019

TK and RF battling it out will only be good for #ncfc. Competition keeps players on their toes, no different for keepers
— Kris Gunns (@loodofsquit) July 5, 2019

The 5 areas I thought we'd strengthen in this window were GK (starter), DM (starter), RB (backup), Winger/Wide Midfielder (starter and/or backup) and Striker (backup). Just the RB and DM left now, but personally would still like another pacey wide option if being greedy. #NCFC
— Adam Brandon (@AdamBrandon84) July 5, 2019