Stephen Henderson – Fantasy Football Potential

Crystal Palace have announced the season long loan signing of goalkeeper, Stephen Henderson. He joins Palace as a free agent following his departure from Championship side Nottingham Forest.

Aged 31, Henderson has played for number of clubs over his career and comes in to support the current Palace set up. Here’s what Henderson has had to say about his move:

“The goalkeepers are at a very high standard which is what I expected so I’m just going to take it all in and learn from them and try to support them as best I can. Just seeing this morning on my first day, the standards are what I expected from two top Premier League goalkeepers”

Player History

Henderson has had a lengthy career at a number of sides, but he started his career at Aston Villa at the age of 17. He progressed through their youth system and signed his first professional contract in 2006.

In 2007, Henderson agreed to join Bristol City, on a one year deal. He remained on the books with Bristol City between 2007 and 2011, however he only made 5 appearances for them, as he went out on loan on a number of occasions to clubs including; York City, Weymouth, Aldershot Town and Yeovil Town.

Portsmouth signed Henderson in July 2011 on a three year deal and during the course of the 2011/12 Championship season he made 25 appearances, keeping 7 clean sheets and conceding just 26 goals.

In 2012, West Ham signed Henderson on an emergency loan, but he was unused in the season as West Ham gained promotion back to the Premier League. At the end of the season, West Ham signed Henderson on a permanent three year deal. During 2012/13 season he was loaned to Ipswich, making 24 appearances, keeping 8 clean sheets and conceding 33 goals.

Henderson signed for Charlton Athletic in 2014 on a three year deal and went on to make 53 league appearances for the club, keeping 12 clean sheets. In 2016, Henderson signed for Nottingham Forest and spent 3 years at the club, having loan spells at Portsmouth and Wycombe.

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Internationally, Henderson has made 32 appearances for Republic of Ireland at the youth levels, but is yet to make a senior appearance have been called up to the senior squad in 2012.

Fantasy Football Potential

Henderson has travelled to Switzerland with Roy Hodgson’s squad for the upcoming pre-season tour, and has mainly been brought in to increase the squad depth in this position. It is most likely that Henderson will be third choice behind Vincent Guaita and Wayne Hennessey.

It is therefore unlikely that his services will be called upon, however if they are then he could be a bargain, likely to be priced at £4.0m if added in Fantasy Premier League.

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