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Former Premier League title winner in training with Aldershot as he seeks new club age 37

Former Premier League title winner Asmir Begovic is currently in training with Aldershot Town as he seeks new club age 37.

Begovic has been pictured by the National League club’s photographer during a training session on Wednesday, having a good chat with fellow keeper Jordi van Stappershoef

Aldershot said via it’s Twitter: “One of England’s finest goalkeeping imports having a chat with Asmir Begovic 😉

It was great to welcome @asmir1 to training yesterday as he looks to keep fit and sharp this summer 🫡 #TheShots ❤️💙”

Currently a free agent since his contract with Queens Park Rangers ended last summer, Begovic is on the look out for the 13th club of his professional career.

He recently reflected on his career and the season just gone. Filmed prior the announcement of his departure from QPR)

Interviewer on the AB1GK Podcast: “…there was another big five this year 500 appearances as well for you, Asmir it’s been an incredible season for you with QPR, talk to us about the season, amazing to make 500 career appearances you must be so incredibly proud

Asmir: Well yeah if we talk about the season, how long do we have, we don’t want to talk forever but yeah it’s you know what it delivered in many aspects in terms of what I expected

Interviewer: 46 games you played

Asmir: Yeah so I wanted to play regular football again uh played at a high level I felt good physically mentally wanted to give it a go and it kind of re-energised me again to continue to push on for the next few years so I really enjoyed it the club’s a really really great club with a lot of potential obviously we I came into a difficult position where the club finished Way the season last year a lot of change turmoil in a way so we we were able to put that right in the second half of the season and actually show what we were capable of I think the level players that we had I think the spine of our team, the consistency we were able to build, so that we can actually deliver results so I think the second half of the season was really positive and yeah given the fact that if we can keep this group of players together you never know what can happen to Championship, such a competitive league, it’s a great league and then as you say some highlights throughout, 500 appearances is an amazing achievement of course it is I am proud of proud of that I’m thankful for all my friends my family

Interviewer: Up at Ewood Park

Asmir: Yeah a great occasion won the game which was the most important thing so many people that helped me you know achieve that sort of a milestone but I still think there’s a few games left and keep pushing this thing and then of course I think one day you’ll sit back and think it’s all done when it’s all said and done and think yeah it was a pretty cool ride and was able to achieve a lot but really just focus now and keep pushing and playing as many games I can and being as successful as as I can

Interviewer: 46 games I want to talk to you about a change of manager and what it’s like as a player you changed manager mid-season Gareth Ainsworth was in charge, Marti Cifuentes has come in how difficult is it and how uneasy is it for a player when you change manager mid-season like that

Asmir: Yeah it’s never never easy for sure especially with contrasting styles and the way that maybe the managers wanted to play and what they’re expecting of you so it took us a while to adapt I think that’s why when we got probably the halfway point the second half season we kicked on because by the time we were able to really understand the demands of the manager our daily routines our weekly routines everything that goes into that we showed how good of a team we can be and obviously he’s a top manager there’s no denying that I think he could do some really really great things in the game going in the future going forward so yeah we’re lucky to have him and and have had him for this this season and you know I think we managed to change of yeah manager Chang the manager pretty well yeah

Interviewer: The championship’s been incredible you look back on the on the season just gone it was so so competitive you’ve worked in TV you’ve played in it you’ve lived and breathed it like I have as a football fan of Southampton, I’ve watched everything and it is I’ve never seen a league this league so competitive as it was this previous season what was it like to play in it

Asmir: Yeah I mean it’s the beauty of English football I think it’s one of the most competitive best leagues in the world there’s no denying it I think right there maybe behind top five leagues six the best league I mean whatever you think total wise overall so I think an unbelievable league the level of football the clubs the size of clubs the fan bases the atmospheres yeah absolutely amazing but let me ask you a couple questions you’re you’re a massive Saints fan obviously um you know we talked a lot during the year didn’t we I mean what what was going on and you had the whole ups and downs of the Championship season and of course you get to Wembley at the end and you get promoted how was your how was your impression of the Championship and everything that came with it

Interviewer: Yeah like to come down with the the parachute payment teams that come down with the money they come down it gives you a massive advantage and you have to use it to your benefit don’t you and Southampton did they kept some good players and that was really I thought that was really important but it’s I find it mentally draining as the season went and once it got the playoffs I felt absolutely so tired and so worn out I can’t imagine what it’s like as a player to go through it as a football fan that doesn’t put on the shirt pull on the pair of boots and and have to go out on the football field it is it must be so draining because it was for me

Asmir: Yeah it can be I mean I’ve experience playoffs and not in a positive way in a negative way

Interviewer: It’s an incredible way to get promoted isn’t it, playoffs

Asmir: It’s the best way to get promoted of course you add another whatever three or so weeks onto your season which is never very easy planning for next season but yeah if you get to Wembley you get so many thousands of your fans, you get to be there and do it then then why wouldn’t you but obviously you look at Leeds on the other side it’s like oh my gosh yeah they they went… they probably didn’t go up on in the worst way almost didn’t want to maybe

Interviewer: The strangest moment to play is it like we speak about a sliding doors moment you’ve got all of a sudden you Southampton have an ability to keep with their players and Leeds got a moment where you’re gonna probably have to sell players balance the books to to to continue to live as a football club and players want to play at the highest level don’t they

Asmir: Yeah it’s then get unfortunate really like we said earlier it’s the best game and the worst game I mean there so much writing on it yeah you get promoted the joys of it the moment the atmosphere Wembley and then you look on the other side the low the low, I mean it’s scary what obviously Leeds players, Leeds fans, staff everyone’s thinking it’s it’s a gut you know gut-wrenching moment so yeah it’s it’s tough and that that’s the craze of the Championship but also that’s what makes it so appealing and people love it watch it the viewing figures the new TV deal has taken it to another level shows you how much in demand the league is and it’s actually one of the most fun leagues with so many games to play in

Interviewer: Yeah when you look back over the season sort of standout moment for you standout saves you’ve had some really big performances this season you featured quite a lot on QPR’s social media which says a lot because you’re you’re in form you’re making big saves what stands out when you look back

Asmir: Yeah I think what the most the biggest thing that stands out for me is what I pried myself on through throughout my whole career I was able to be consistent dependable reliable play every single game you know be that sort of consistent base in for the team especially in goal so that that that was that’s the biggest thing for me that’s really what I take pride on of course you need to perform you need to um help the team out when when you can in those moments and yeah we’re able to do that and as a team we had some pretty cool moments when you look at I guess the highlight being Leeds yeah the last home game of the season everything we went through as a team as a club all the ups and downs rounds the lows being I don’t know eight points from safety what everything it was still believing but I have to say the level of pride I have for the players and the staff and for us as a group to stay together you know I think in when you face that sort of adversity and whole really to get yourself out of you can let go of the rope and maybe rightly so and a lot of things that went on with the club don’t help but we kept the group of players together you know I’m really really proud of that every single one of those players staff we kept believing in each other, the fans then came together we really came together as a club yeah and then a we’re able to have a really magical run in a way so overall that’s kind of what I’m proud of look yeah look back on Leeds as you

Interviewer: Fans can play such a big role you talk about fans there I noticed that at Southampton this year talk about what we did down there and once the fans all come together when they really re the players and the manager needed the fans to come together in the playoffs they did and the lifts it gives a player can be quite incredible can’t it

Asmir: Well listen I think winning football matches and getting results is difficult no matter what if we are together as a club and united as a club pushing the same direction then we can achieve things if we’re not we won’t and that that’s the reality I know it’s easier said than done everyone feels emotional it’s an emotional game uh lots that goes into it but I think being negative doesn’t help anyone so the fact that they the fans positive we had sellouts continuous sellouts at Loftus Road, the away backing was unbelievable unbelievable a lot of traveling so the fact they were there for us helps and it doesn’t it’s not a coincidence that the results and everything that happened happened as kind of as we came together as a unit and as you say Saints you run towards the end in the playoffs have enough backing of the fans it’s absolutely brilliant that’s that’s what helps you achieve things

Interviewer: Yeah get mentality right so important you go to big games if everybody’s on it special things can happen

Asmir: Exactly right so I think we we’ve all been there and done it and you know looking forward to the future obviously you’ve got a amazing season in the Premier League to look forward to it’s going to be lot more debates yeah I mean it’s tough it’s tough you know the Premier League is not for giving Beast just doesn’t make no mistake about it I think when we look at the quality of teams now obviously the the backing each team will have the funding um it’s as competitive as ever but you are a big club you’ve got a good manager good players now can you use the market really well you I think last year used you used the low market really well so what can you do let’s wait and see um but it’s going to be fun looking forward to it obviously big summer of football huge summer of football

Queens Park Rangers said in a statement on his exit: “Asmir Begović will leave QPR following the expiry of his contract at the end of this month.

“The 37-year-old goalkeeper joined the R’s 12 months ago and played a key role as the club retained its Championship status in 2023/24.

“Begović made 46 appearances in all competitions for the club.”

CEO Christian Nourry said: “On behalf of the wider football club I want to offer my deep thanks to Asmir for all of his contributions.

“His outstanding leadership qualities helped the group immeasurably when times were toughest.

“I have immense respect for Asmir the man and the professional, and wish him nothing but the best for his future endeavours.”

This is what fans are saying with the former Premier League title winner Asmir Begovic in training at Aldershot as he seeks a new club age 37…

@MattTalksSport_: Get him signed, just incase one of the other 3/4 get injured

@TweetOfWill: Let’s sign another keeper just for the crack

Martin Sawyer: A few years ago now, Chelsea spent £8M on him as a back-up keeper!..very experienced gk..

Guy Butchers: Can do nothing but good having Asmir Begovic on hand for the summer.

Sam D Balchin: Sign him up

@Loftusroad11: Best of luck @asmir1 top draw saves towards the end of the season and especially against Leeds. You also helped QPR stay up through sheer hard work and great character, for that I thank you and best of luck to a nice guy 🙏

@2Lukienko: Thanks for everything Asmir, a huge improvement on the keeper from the season before and big part in keeping us up. All the best 🇧🇦🧤

@loftinopanevino: Don’t get the Asmir hate, mistakes were made, same for any keeper, but there were also plenty of games were his saves meant we got wins or draws we’d otherwise not have got. Tired of all the hate our fanbase pushes on individual players above and beyond what’s necessary.

@Mystery2910: Not half as bad as being made out but definitely the right decision. Bring on the #NardiParty

@alanfullerqpr: Best of luck Asmir thanks for the season best of luck.

@Slapheadstu71: All the best Asmir & thank you

@johnycat: Got some stick but he kept us in a number of very important games. I am sorry to sue him go. A real stabilising influence.

@GazSuperhoop: Thanks for everything Asmir. All the best for the future 👍🔵⚪️🔵

@W_QPR1882: Wish him the best. Glad we had him last season but its the right decision for him to go now. #QPR

@Ashdown_Ranger: Thanks Asmir, good luck in your new venture 👏👏👏

@lukas_ross10: hull at home will always be remembered. all the best.

@QPR_Jake: Shame really, the bloke was horrendously over-hated

@1972madmike32: Good luck in the future Asmir and thanks for helping to save us last season .

@MentalMax22: @asmir1 thank you for last season wish you the best of luck

@DanJS9: Thanks Aamir. Good luck for the future!!

@JoshFenwick23: Great character, but past his prime and good decision.

@here4therangers: Thought he was good at times and wish him well.

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