After Paddy Kenny’s surprise defection for the big money at QPR, Simonsen had always been favourite to renew his contact with United following his brief loan at the end of last season
Born in the North East, Simonsen is 31yrs old and 6’2′ tall. Beginning his career with Nottingham Forest’s youth team he moved to Tranmere Rovers in 1996 then on to Everton for a then record fee of £3.3m in 1998. Rated as one of the best young keepers, he won 11 U21 England caps but in five seasons at Goodison Park he managed just 35 appearances as understudy to Thomas Myhre and then Nigel Martyn.
Signing for Stoke City in July 2004, he was named player of the season and rewarded with a 3 year contract. He played a major role in The Potters promotion season, losing his place to Danish International Thomas Sorensen at the start of season 2008/9.
Simonsen’s position was then further threatened when Pulis signed Bosnian giant Asmir Begovic from Pompey in February of this year. He played just 7 games for City during the season, one of these being Stoke’s win at White Hart Lane where he pulled off a number of match winning saves.
Arriving at Bramall Lane on emergency loan after Blackburn Rovers had recalled Mark Bunn, his first game against Doncaster Rovers on the following day was the first of 7 impressive games through to the end of the season.
Of the Simonsen signing, manager Kevin Blackwell said ‘it is very hard replacing a top class goal keeper but I think we have done that. Last Season he not only impressed the players and the staff but also the fans which is important’
Simonsen joins previous signings Bogdanovic, Ertl and Britton in time for pre season training.
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