Brad Dayan Norman[3] (born 5 July 1996)[1] is a South African professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Greek Super League 2 club Apollon Larissa. Norman is the third of his nationality to play in South America following Harold Henman and Doctor Khumalo.[4]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Brad Dayan Norman | ||
| Date of birth | 5 July 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Johannesburg, South Africa[1] | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Apollon Larissa | ||
| Number | 99[2] | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2013 | Berea Albion | ||
| 2013–2015 | Highlands Park | ||
| 2015–2016 | Bidvest Wits | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2019 | Maccabi FC | 24 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | SuperSport United | 0 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | → Moroka Swallows (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2020 | Sportivo Luqueño | 0 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | Independiente Rivadavia | 0 | (0) |
| 2021– | Apollon Larissa | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 January 2022 | |||
Career edit
Early career edit
Norman played football since 5 years of age and was also a number 9. In important games, he was placed as a goalkeeper because of his conditions and the team need him. Norman played in tournaments in many countries for his team, taking the penalty kicks.[5] Norman's first club was Berea Albion.[1] At age 14, Norman began his adult career in the ABC Motsepe League with Highlands Park before stints at Bidvest Wits (where he also escalated through the development ranks)[4] and Maccabi.[6] At 16, Norman signed his first professional contract and left school to pursue it since he had less time to study. Later, he passed to clubs in South Africa's First League and Second League.[5]
Maccabi edit
On 18 August 2018, Norman debuted in South Africa's First Tier for Maccabi in a 3–1 home victory against TS Sporting.[7][1] On 15 December 2018, Norman received his first expulsion for Maccabi in a 6–2 away defeat against Mbombela United.[8] On 5 May 2019, Norman appeared for the last time for Maccabi in a 0–0 away draw against Stellenbosch, playing the entire 90 minutes of the game.[9]
Moroka Swallows edit
On 17 August 2019, Norman was included for the first time in a game for Swallows in a 1–1 home draw against TS Sporting.[10] On 22 September 2019, Norman was last benched for Swallows in a 2–1 away loss to Steenburg United.[11]
Sportivo Luqueño edit
On 21 February 2020, Norman officially joined Sportivo Luqueño on a contract that would run until 31 December 2021. His signing in Paraguay was his first experience outside of South Africa.[12] Norman's move to Sportivo Luqueño came about when a Mexican agent saw him playing on loan at Swallows FC from Super Sport United before arranging his move to Paraguay.[4]
COVID-19 pandemic edit
Norman came into the public light during the departure of Olimpia Asunción and Togolese footballer Emmanuel Adebayor, who could not return to Paraguay due to flight route complications and the risk of the spread of COVID-19 during travel from Togo to Paraguay, whilst Norman had flown from Johannesburg through to the cities of Washington and Miami in the United States of America in order to return to Paraguay.[13] Norman had returned to South Africa to pass the quarantine with his family following the pause of the Torneo Apertura in March 2020.[14][15] Prior to the suspension of the Primera División Paraguaya due to the pandemic, Norman was getting ready to play in the 2020 Copa Paraguay against Olimpia Asunción, which consisted of Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz in their squad.[6]
During his temporary stay in the United States of America, he remained physically active in his hotel room where he conducted individual sessions.[16]
On 6 June 2020, Tigo Sports announced that Sportivo Luqueño would commence testing their players, coaches and staff for COVID-19 and had named Norman in the list of 30 players, which included Luis Nery Caballero and Orlando Gaona Lugo, that would resume training for the 2020 season.[17]
He was scheduled to return to Paraguay on a humanitarian flight on 1 July 2020, and would under go fifteen days of quarantine at the Dazzler Hotel in Asunción.[13]
The cost of his flight was rounded off to USD $35,000, paid for by the sports institute and mostly by the goalkeeper's representative, Manuel Caceres.[16]
Return to Paraguay edit
Upon his return to Paraguay, Sportivo Luqueño equipped his hotel room with training facilities for the duration of his quarantine.[18] On 16 September 2020, it was reported that Norman had departed Sportivo Luqueño.[19] Resulting from the pandemic, Norman announced that for this he terminated his contract with Sportivo Luqueño.[5]
Independiente Rivadavia edit
In September 2020, Norman signed with Argentine club Independiente Rivadavia.[4] Norman's contract ran until December 2021.[1] In December 2020, Norman joined the squad in training under coach Marcelo Straccia.[20] Norman was temporarily in Mexico training with a local club whilst awaiting his Argentine work permit and international border opening.[4]
"I am happy to finally be here in Argentina and to be back on the field training with my teammates after a month or so of training by myself and waiting for VISA related matters to be fully approved"' – Norman upon his signing with Independiente Rivadavia.[20]
Norman was one of two foreign signings at the club, also with Mexican footballer Ereven Hernández.[21] Norman's signing attracted the publicity of every newspaper in Argentina.[20] In the squad with Norman was former St. Gallen and Boca Juniors player, Jesus Mendez.[22]
Apollon Larissa edit
In July 2021, it was announced that Norman moved to Greece Super League 2 team Apollon Larissa.[23][24] He was taken to the club by his former Independiente Rivadavia coach Marcelo Straccia,[24] signing a one-year deal after impressing in pre-season training.[23] The deal was his first move to UEFA football.[23]
On 14 November 2021, Norman made a bench appearance in a 2–0 away defeat against AEL.[25] On 11 December 2021, Norman made his full debut in a 5–1 away defeat against Veria NFC.[26] He appeared on the bench in his next game in a 2–0 home defeat against Apollon Pontou on 15 December.[2]
Style of play edit
He uses his feet well from playing as the number 9 and as the goalkeeper in his youth.[5]
Personal life edit
Norman's father was a known businessman in Johannesburg and was friends with Nelson Mandela.[1]
By 2021, Norman had nearly 5, 000 followers on Instagram.[5]
Norman described Argentina as a beautiful country, with good food and beautiful people and culture.[5]
In 2021, Norman was elected as the World Boxing Council's Cares programme in South Africa.[citation needed]
In January 2022, Norman began running sporting initiatives to support disadvantaged young people in his native South Africa.[citation needed]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g "Brad Norman, el arquero sudafricano que sueña con hacer historia en la Lepra | + Deportes". Losandes.com.ar. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Apollon Larissa vs. Apollon Pontou - 15 December 2021 - Soccerway". Int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ "South Africa - B. Norman - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". Int.soccerway.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Brad Norman signs for CS Independiente Rivadavia in Argentina from Sportivo Luqueno". Kickoff.com. 30 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "Brad Norman, de Sudáfrica a la Lepra: Arquero con sueño de ascenso". Mdzol.com.
- ^ a b "Bradley Norman: SA goalkeeper in Paraguay on having to escape COVID-19 lockdown". Kickoff.com. 9 April 2020.
- ^ "Maccabi vs. TS Sporting - 18 August 2018". Int.soccerway.com.
- ^ "Mbombela United vs. Maccabi - 15 December 2018". Int.soccerway.com.
- ^ "Stellenbosch vs. Maccabi - 5 May 2019 - Soccerway". Int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ "Swallows vs. TS Sporting - 17 August 2019". Int.soccerway.com.
- ^ "Steenberg United vs. Swallows - 22 September 2019". Int.soccerway.com.
- ^ "Luqueño se refuerza con un sudafricano". Versus.lanacion.com.py. 21 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Norman, el arquero que sí retorna desde África, vuela a Paraguay - Sportivo Luqueño - ABC Color". Abc.com.py.
- ^ "Exclusivo: el jugador del fútbol paraguayo que viajó a África y ¡sí puede regresar al país! - Sportivo Luqueño - ABC Color". Abc.com.py.
- ^ "A pesar del caos mundial, Luqueño trae un jugador desde África". Versus.lanacion.com.py. 25 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Dónde está y qué hace Norman, el sudafricano que sí regresa para el reinicio del Apertura - Sportivo Luqueño - ABC Color". Abc.com.py.
- ^ "Luqueño se somete al test de COVID-19". Tigosports.com.py.
- ^ "Llegada y cuarentena: Brad Norman volvió al país desde Sudáfrica - Sportivo Luqueño - ABC Color". Abc.com.py.
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ a b c "Brad Norman: South African goalkeeper unveiled at CS Independiente Rivadavia in Argentina". Kickoff.com. 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Llegaron dos refuerzos extranjeros a Independiente Rivadavia". Diariouno.com.ar. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ "Club Sportivo Independiente Rivadavia :: Statistics". Playmakerstats.com. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ a b c "Brad Norman: Ex-SuperSport United goalkeeper joins Apollon Larissa". Kickoff.com. 19 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Στον Απόλλωνα Λάρισας ο Brad Norman". Sportsup.gr. 16 July 2021.
- ^ "Larissa vs. Apollon Larissa - 14 November 2021 - Soccerway". Int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ "Veria vs. Apollon Larissa - 11 December 2021 - Soccerway". Int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
External links edit
- Brad Norman at WorldFootball.net
- Brad Norman at ESPN FC
- Tips Score Profile
- Brad Norman at Fichajes.com (in Spanish)
- Brad Norman at Soccerway
- Brad Norman at playmakerstats.com
- Brad Norman at Flashscore.com