If you claim to know who Roman Brnada is, you’re lying (unless you know him personally, of course, in which case, please send him our way so we can get in touch).
However, if the 32-year-old goalkeeper/goalkeeping coach/singer is to be believed, Newcastle United knew who he was, and wanted him.
Speaking to 24 Sata in Croatia, he said: “After a game, I was approached by a gentleman asking me if I would go abroad to England. I was surprised, and he told me he was at Newcastle and he was a goalkeeping and junior coach there.
“He told me I would play in the second or third leagues, but that money is good. My wife did not want us to go”.
At the time, around nine years ago, he also nearly ended up at Dinamo, one of Croatia’s better teams, as their third goalkeeper, but, like the move to St James’ Park, he ended up staying where he was.
Now, Brnada is trying to make ends meet by doing the two things he loves the most: playing football and singing.
Earning around £59 a month from being a goalkeeper and another £59 from being NK Tomislav’s goalkeeping coach, the 32-year-old makes most of his money from busking in Osijek’s town square.
The most he’s earned? £451 in a day, but that was a one off, and in another town. In Osijek, the most he’s earned is £107.
And moving forward? Brnada said: “The plan is to move more towards music, but it’s safe to be able to continue as a goalkeeper coach, but music will be in the foreground”.
This certainly could be seen as a case of ‘what could have been’, yet there’s a feeling Brnada is very happy with his decision to turn down Newcastle United.
After all, he got to pursue both of his loves.
