The goalkeeper who became Barcelona's "Great Wall"
In short: Before he was a Premier League regular, Fraser Forster was a teenager playing rugby and cricket. It wasn't until a significant growth spurt at age 15 that he transformed into the elite goalkeeper who would eventually leave Lionel Messi stunned with his defensive brilliance.
Fraser Forster’s ascent was far from linear. After concentrating on rugby union and cricket, the Hexham, Northumberland native only started his goalkeeper career at age 13. Despite early concerns from coaches that his stature might be insufficient for the role, a growth spurt at 15 paved the way for a professional career that would see him sign with Newcastle United's Academy in 2005.
His tenure at Newcastle was marked by a lack of first-team opportunities, leading to several loan spells at clubs like Stockport County, Bristol Rovers, and Norwich City. It was at Norwich, however, where he first demonstrated his potential, winning the League One title and being named the club's Players' Player of the Year in 2010. This success served as a springboard to Celtic, where he became a dominant force in Scottish football.
At Celtic, Forster achieved legendary status. He set a Scottish top division record by going 1,256 minutes without conceding a goal, a streak that ended against Aberdeen in February 2014. His performances in the UEFA Champions League were particularly noteworthy; after a resolute display against Barcelona in November 2012, the Spanish media dubbed him "La Gran Muralla" (The Great Wall). The impact was so profound that Lionel Messi later described Forster's performance as the best goalkeeping he had ever seen.
Forster's career eventually transitioned to the Premier League with Southampton and later Tottenham Hotspur, where he secured a Europa League title. His international career included appearances for England and selections for the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 squads.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Fraser Forster
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