Norwich City have announced the signing of Ralf Fährmann from FC Schalke 04 on a season long loan. The goalkeeper has spent 14 years at Schalke and looks to increase the competition for the number one position with Tim Krul.
The 30 year old has joined the Canaries as their 3 signing that will join the main squad after Patrick Roberts and Josip Drmic, whilst Norwich have made 6 other signings who are joining the under-23 set up.
Here’s what Fährmann has had to say about his move to Norwich City:
“I watched the Premier League last season and a bit of Championship. It was an incredible season, topped with the Championship title. I saw many photos of the parade and celebration and it was really impressive. Of course, I think everyone dreams of playing in the Premier League – it is the best league in the world and to compete with the best clubs and players is a dream for everyone and therefore, I’m looking forward to next season.”
Player History
At the age of 15, Fährmann joined Schalke in 2003, but it wasn’t until September 2008 when he made his professional debut in a 3-3 draw against Borussia Dortmund. During the course of 2007/08 and 2008/09 campaigns, Fährmann played 44 games, keeping 19 clean sheets.
In 2009, Fährmann signed for Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer, however after making just 25 appearances across 2009/10 & 2010/11, he chose to re-join Schalke as they sold Manuel Neuer to Bayern Munich.
Between 2011/12 and 2018/19 Fährmann went on to make 233 appearances, keeping 75 clean sheets (1 every 3.1 games) and conceded 296 goals (1.27 every game).
Internationally, Fährmann has played for Germany at various youth levels, making 32 appearances between under-16’s and under-21’s, however he is yet to make a senior appearance.
Fantasy Football Potential
Tim Krul is currently the Canaries number one goalkeeper, recently signing a new three year deal with the club. Krul played every minute in Norwich’s Championship campaign last season, whilst Fährmann only featured on 17 occasions in the Bundesliga, being rotated with fellow German Alexander Nubel who ended the season between the sticks.
What is unsure is who will be number one this season. Krul has had previous Premier League experience, having made 157 appearances (42 clean sheets), whilst last season Krul managed 13 clean sheets in 46 appearances. Comparing this to Fährmann, he managed to keep 6 clean sheets in 25 appearances last season, which is 1 every 4.2 fixtures compared to Krul’s 1 every 3.5 games. Krul’s experience may favour him to keep the number one spot, but pre-season should provide more indications on who will start in the Premier League.
Fährmann is yet to be added to fantasy premier league but will likely be priced around £4.0m-£4.5m, but with the opening run than Norwich City have neither keeper should really be in the plans of fantasy managers at the start of the season. Norwich’s opening 5 fixtures are; Liverpool (A), Newcastle (H), Chelsea (H), West Ham (A) and Manchester City (H).
