Espen Baardsen is pictured during the 1-1 draw with Barnsley in
the FA Cup 4th round Cup.
Club Career: 22 League apps. (+1 as sub), 0 goals
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Free transfer on 16/7/1996 from San Francisco Allblacks, USA |
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Tottenham Hotspur: |
1996-1997 |
Played |
2 |
Scored |
0 |
goals |
(Premiership) |
|
1997-1998 |
Played |
9 |
Scored |
0 |
goals |
(Premiership) |
|
1998-1999 |
Played |
12 |
Scored |
0 |
goals |
(Premiership) |
|
1999-2000 |
Played |
0 |
Scored |
0 |
goals |
(Premiership) |
|
Transferred to Watford on 3/8/2000 for £1.25 million |
|
|
.
Espen Baardsen is pictured on 8th. December 1998. Photo G Herringshaw. ©
Tottenham fans had good memories of Norwegian goalkeepers after Erik
Thorstvedt's time at the club in the late '80s and '90s, so the
parallels were obvious when Espen Baardsen arrived on a free transfer
from San Francisco Allblacks in the summer of 1996. In fact, it was
Thorstvedt who helped to bring about the move when he was approached by
Espen's mother, who was keen to find a suitable club where her son could
showcase his talents.
Baardsen had to wait until May 1997 for his chance in the first team.
It came at Anfield, as a half time substitute for the injured Ian
Walker. Far from daunted, 19-year-old Baardsen produced a series of fine
saves as Liverpool threatened to run riot. Although his performance
couldn't stop Spurs slipping to a 2-1 defeat, it did indicate that he
might enjoy a similarly successful White Hart Lane career as Thorstvedt.
Early in 1997-98, Baardsen did nothing to suggest otherwise when he
held firm in the face of an Arsenal onslaught, helping Spurs cling to a
goalless draw at Highbury. But opportunities remained few and far
between for the American-born Norwegian, with manager George Graham
keeping faith with Walker as his number 1. Baardsen made 12 league
starts the following campaign - his most in any season at the club - and
was an unused substitute in Tottenham's League Cup win in 1999.
In 1999-2000, however, he didn't make a single appearance. Seen as
surplus to requirements, Baardsen left for Watford in a £1.25m deal in
the summer of 2000, having made only 23 league appearances in four years
at White Hart Lane. Espen did enjoy more regular football at Vicarage
Road, playing 41 times over two seasons, before a brief spell at Everton
- where his one appearance ironically came in a 4-3 defeat at White
Hart Lane - proved to be the last in his professional career. Despite
having the talent and the physique to succeed as a goalkeeper, Espen had
grown tired of football and in December 2003, aged just 25, he retired
from the game to pursue other interests. (Alex Voskou)
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