My dad is a Premier League cult hero who played for Arsenal; Now I hope to ruin Chelsea's European dream.
Chelsea host Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League on Thursday, and fans may recognize one of the visiting team's players.
However, it won't be who they originally think of, but rather their son.
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The ex's son ArsenalSunderland and Derby goalkeeper Mart Poom expected to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Markus Poom, born in Derby during his father's time at Pride Park in the 1990s, currently plays for Shamrock Rovers.
The 25-year-old player is on loan from Flora and has been since January 2023.
He has been a success at the south Dublin club, making 69 appearances in midfield.
Poom scored five goals and had 11 assists in that time.
He has played every Conference League game so far this season, starting five of five games.
The Irish team is currently unbeaten heading into the clash against Chelsea, winning three and drawing two of their third division European games so far.
Rovers sit sixth in the Conference League, while their opponents sit top, four points ahead after five wins in five.
When asked about the game, Poom Jr said: “It's something we're looking forward to. When the draw was happening, you wanted that game and somehow you wanted it at Stamford Bridge.
“But we're not going there just to play.
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“We'll have a plan for it and hopefully we'll get points.”
And he added: “Chelsea are probably the biggest team in the competition.
“With their new coach, it's an exciting time to play against them.”
Bridge fans who followed English football in the early 2000s will probably recognize his surname on Thursday night.
Former goalkeeper Mart Poom, born in Estonia, arrived in England in 1994 when he signed for Portsmouth.
He was then loaned to his son's current parent club, Flora, before moving permanently to Derby in 1997.
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Poom was named Rams Player of the Year in the 1999/2000 season.
A loan spell at Sunderland followed in 2002, before signing permanently for the Black Cats in 2003.
He scored the famous 90th-minute equalizer against Derby with a header, earning applause from both groups of fans.
In 2005, he signed for Arsenal as cover for Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia, before signing permanently in January 2006.
He did not feature throughout the season, but won a Champions League runners-up medal in Arsenal's final defeat to Barcelona after being included in the Gunners' 25-man squad.
His debut for Arsenal came the following season in a League Cup against Everton when he replaced Almunia at half-time following his injury.
His first and only appearance for Arsenal in the Premier League came on the final day of the 2006/07 season against his former club Portsmouth in a 0-0 draw.
Poom's playing career ended at Watford, signing after relegation from the Premier League in 2007. He was released in 2009.
Now, 15 years later, his son will take to the field for a Premier League club just as he did.
