Jani Viander marks 12 years at Brentford and shares his dream for an academy goalkeeper to become no.1
Jani Viander marks 12 years at Brentford and shares his dream for an academy goalkeeper to become no. 1 When Jani Viander first arrived at Brentford, the club looked very different to the one that now competes in the Premier League. Back then the Bees were building momentum in League One, but Viander could already sense the direction the club was heading.
More than a decade on, the B-team goalkeeper coach has seen that vision evolve while helping to develop the next generation of Brentford goalkeepers and players. April 2026 marked 12 years for Viander at Brentford, a journey that began when he made the decision to swap life at a top-flight club for a project he immediately believed in. “I was at Norwich and looking at London clubs if it was possible,” he explained.
“My first thought about Brentford was when Matthew [Benham] was just coming in. They were doing well in League One and straight away I was interested. “I was leaving a Premier League club to go to a League One club, but I knew instantly that the vibe was there.
"The fans knew the good times were coming and there was a platform for youth here too, which I loved. ” For Viander, football has always been the universal language that helped him settle into a new environment. “For me personally, despite being so different culturally, if you love football you will fit in,” he said.
“My love for football is massive. “Grass for the whole year is something I value here in this country. It seems small, but it is so important when you think about my roots and where I’ve come from, it makes you appreciate the little things.
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