Shay Given expects to leave Aston Villa in the summer after admitting his time with the Premier League club was coming to an end. The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper has recently returned to Villa Park following a successful loan spell with Middlesbrough, where kept 10 clean sheets in 16 appearances.
Given recently returned to Villa Park after a successful loan spell with Championship club Middlesbrough where he kept 10 clean sheets in 16 matches, making the club a good clean sheet bet with Betfair.com. While the Teesiders were keen on extending the keeper’s loan until the end of the season, Villa weren’t able to include a 24-hour recall clause into the deal.
Given, who has been out of favour at Villa since being replaced as number one by Brad Guzen last season, still has another two years left on his contract at Villa Park and the club are keen on shedding the veteran from their wage bill. For the time being, however, a loan move to the Championship before the end of March looks to be Given’s only chance of playing regular first team football before the end of the season.
“Hopefully something will happen in the summer somewhere. It has been really frustrating not playing. I might go back out on loan again somewhere before the end of March. Aston Villa want me out of the door, so something might happen.”
“The window doesn’t open until the summer, so maybe there is a Championship club out there who might want me.”
Despite being 37-year old, Given still has plenty to offer a Premier League club never mind a Championship one. The Betfair odds will soon begin to link Given with his next move, and it remains to be seen whether the Irishman will continue to play his football in England or make a potential move to the MLS in America.
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