Hibs boss Paatelainen: We tried to land Antti Niemi

Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen has today revealed that the Hibees tried to sign former Hearts goalkeeper Antti Niemi.

The Hibees were hopeful of landing the keeper for the new season, but the Fulham keeper was forced to retire due to injury.

Niemi, 36, had an excellent career in football, He started his career with HJK before he signed for Rangers in 1997, before moving to Tynecastle for £400,000 in 2002.

He played nearly 100 games for the Yams and was then sold to Southampton for £2.2m in 2002.

The Finland international spent four years at Southampton, but when they were relegated to the English Championship in 2006, after 110 appearances, he was sold to Fulham.

Niemi played a further 65 games for Fulham before he was forced to retire this year due to a wrist injury.

The former Hearts keeper was also first choice at international level for Finland for over a decade and was in an out the Finland side for 15 years. He was capped 67 times between 1992 and 2007.

Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen revealed:

"Antti has had a lot of injuries recently with his back, knee, elbow, shoulder, wrist - everything.

"He has not recovered from his latest wrist operation and is now going back to Finland with his family.

"I did ask him quite a few times whether he would come here and play for the right club in Edinburgh.

"But he has opted to retire and put his feet up."

Goalkeepers can play well in to their 40's nowadays, Niemi would have been a fantastic signing.