Philippine Azkals captain Neil Etheridge has made the long-awaited move to Thai League 1 side Buriram United.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper will now represent the defending Thai champions as they seek to win their 11th crown this upcoming season.
“It’s an honor to be here at this fantastic powerhouse,” said Etheridge in an Instagram post.
“I can’t wait to get started on this new journey and adventure! Thank you for all the support to make this happen. Let’s do this.”
“Buriram United have reached an agreement to sign Neil Etheridge, the goalkeeper of the Philippines national team, who has had the chance to play on the English Premier League stage against Cardiff City, and has come to join the forces as another ASEAN player of the team,” said a translated portion of the club’s social media post about the big news on its Instagram page.
This will be the 6-foot-2 stopper’s first foray outside of English football. Back in the 2018–2019 season, Etheridge was able to compete in the English Premier League as the starting goalkeeper for Cardiff City. He played in all Premier League games that campaign, but unfortunately, Cardiff got relegated to the Championship by finishing 18th in the standings.
After Cardiff, he moved to fellow Championship side Birmingham City. With the Blues, he made 70 appearances across four seasons. Unfortunately, Birmingham got relegated after the past season and is now in League One, the third division of English football.
Nevertheless, he was thankful for the chance to represent the club in the Championship.
“I just wanted to say thank you to Birmingham City Football Club and you Blue noses who would come out rain or shine all across the country to support the team,” he said in an Instagram post.
“It was a time in my career with many new experiences and challenges along the way. I met some great people who I now class as friends, and they will not be forgotten, especially for getting me through tough and difficult times,” he continued.
“I would like to thank my family and loved ones for your constant and unconditional support. Finally, I wish the club all the best in the future for this new journey they are about to embark on.”
Aside from targeting domestic success this upcoming season, Buriram United will also take part in the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite, which is Asia’s most prestigious club competition, as well as the new ASEAN Club Championship.
Etheridge is one of eight new recruits for the Thai club, which also signed a new head coach, Osmar Loss, to handle the team moving forward.
