A-League Transfers and Rumours

[soccersensei]

The article is already linking Harry with other clubs and despite his injuries woes anyone coming off a Liverpool contract will still have no shortage of offers. As he implies - few more years and he will come play and nice to know that he wants it to be more than a "token stint". I know he's also "ruling nothing out" But it's more proper diplomacy I'd say for someone who eventually intends to return, as I'd be highly surprised if he can't pick up a contract for at least twice what he could get anywhere here as Marquee. My guess would be look to play OS for two maybe even three more years - perhaps finishing off the international period of his career off with WC 2010.

Then he can return, a triumphant WC winner ;D and play for us... till he retires to begin his coaching career by coaching the youth team ;D

It's my dream and I'm sticking to it!

 

[Jesus]

todays papers he is saying he looks like he wont come back til the west sydney team is in, and he will play there

 

[midfielder]

From Brisy papers today Roar close to signing some Brazilian re that Atletico Mineiro deal they did

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/roar-close-to-signing-brazilians/2008/04/04/1207249448017.html


Queensland Roar have tabled firm offers to two unnamed Brazilians in the wake of the club's 10-day South American scouting mission.

One of coach Frank Farina's key targets plays for Atletico Mineiro, the Brazilian powerhouse who signed a sister relationship with the Roar in March.

He is expected to arrive on a season-long loan deal.

The second player is a midfielder while Farina is also eying a third attack-minded player.

Paying a transfer fee has not been ruled out by the club.

"We've lost two strikers in (Simon) Lynch and Reinaldo so that was our first hole to fill - the central striking position. That's our priority," chief executive Lawrence Oudendyk exclusively told brisbanetimes.com.au today.

"We'll give it another week to 10 days and if no contracts come out of the offers that have gone in then we'll start looking in other areas."

Queensland lost three of its permitted overseas quartet at the end of last season.

Reinaldo was sold to K-League club Busan I'Park while Lynch and Marcinho returned to their homelands after unsuccessful stints.

Farina and Oudendyk watched five games in the state of Minas Gerais and identified "four or five" players as suitable for the A-League.

They saw Atletico Mineiro play twice, including being part of a 53,000-strong crowd which watched the side draw 1-1 with Uruguayans, Penarol, in their 100th anniversary game.

The Belo Horizonte-based club have also been an invaluable source of help for the Roar and even introduced Farina and Oudendyk to other local players and agents.

Reinaldo arrived in Brisbane as an unknown and didn't always endear himself to Roar fans.

But after being thrust into first team contention, the 23-year-old beanpole attacker finished his final season in Queensland colours as the league's second-highest goalscorer and represents the model Roar officials wish to continue with: young and strong enough to cope with the rigours of Australian football.

"That taught us a lesson that it's the younger player that we're looking for because the A-League is a very physical competition," said Oudendyk.

"In the past, ball players haven't been as protected as they should be and there's a particular type of Brazilian player that is more successful here.

"Guys like (former Adelaide United striker) Fernando and big strong physical guys like Reinaldo, they're the guys that have done very well.

"The other side of the equation - the smaller ball playing players - don't get the same protection levels as they do in other countries."

Oudendyk denied Marcinho's spell in Queensland had been a flop but conceded the 26-year-old Brazilian's work ethic fell short of expectations.

The playmaker featured in almost every game last year but famously scored just three times from 77 attempts on goal.

"Fitness-wise he left a little bit to be desired. In that respect I think he underestimated the fitness levels and strength required to play in the A-League," said Oudendyk.

"Maybe with another year he could have settled down but he didn't have the patience for that and wanted to move on."

 

[fedelta]

Hopefully not a bunch of Reinaldos

 

[Jesus]

Phoenix Sign Sigmund As Final Defender
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Phoenix Sign Sigmund As Final Defender
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Apr 8 2008 13:57
Get more on: sigmund | phoenix | aleague
AUCKLAND CITY defender Ben Sigmund has taken a big step up from the New Zealand Football Championship to land a professional contract with Wellington Phoenix FC.
The 27-year-old former Canterbury United player quit his fulltime job two years ago to pursue a career as a professional footballer and he has finally realised his ambition by signing a one-year deal with Phoenix for next season.

When I chucked in my job two years ago I set my sights on getting a professional contract and to make the Phoenix," he said today. "Now that its happened, its magnificent.

Sigmund has been a standout performer in the NZFC with Auckland City and also with the All Whites, who are coached by Phoenix mentor Ricki Herbert.

That connection with the Phoenixs All Whites contingent was integral to Sigmund securing his dream job.

He added: The All Whites guys in the Phoenix have been really supportive all the way through and theyve helped me to develop by letting me know what I needed to do to get to the Phoenix.

Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said the signing was significant in several ways not just for Sigmund and for Phoenix but also as a show of faith in the NZFC and the professional career pathway for footballers in New Zealand.

Its great that we can get someone from the NZFC and show that there is a pathway," said Pignata.

"Bens been a very good performer with Auckland City and he comes into the squad now as another defender as we shore up that area. Ben probably completes our defensive signings for the upcoming season.

Pignata said there would be intense competition for spots in the Phoenix lineup, especially in defence, with the club now significantly strengthened at the back with the arrival of new signings Andrew Durante and Jon McKain and presence of last seasons central linchpin, Karl Dodd.

Its all open no ones guaranteed a spot," he added. "Bens goal will be to show Ricki and everyone else that he deserves a spot in the starting XI.

"Hes a current All White and was one of the standouts in New Zealands 2-2 draw with Wales, so everything bodes very well for him. Hell see it as a new challenge and its great that weve been able to get him onboard.

Sigmund had previously been targeted by Phoenix but an earlier deal fell through due to FIFAs rule that a player cannot play for more than three clubs in a calendar year. Now the way is clear for the central defender to join the Wellington-based club.

To be fair it has taken a little while to get Ben here but he understood where things were at and was patient, Pignata said. We had spoken to him a little while ago but we really wanted him to be able to concentrate on the O-League campaign as skipper of Auckland City.

Auckland City has been eliminated from the O-League but Sigmund will stay with the team as it seeks the NZFC championship title.

Sigmund will join his new club and teammates in mid-May.


BEN SIGMUND

Date of birth: February 3, 1981 in Blenheim, New Zealand (27 years)
Height, weight: 1.8m, 84kg
Playing position: Central defender

Club history: Auckland City, Fawkner Blues (Victorian State League), Canterbury United

Hyundai A-League statistics: None (to debut with Phoenix)

Representative honours: New Zealand All Whites (five caps), debut v Oman in 2000
Biography: Sigmund was recalled to the All Whites for the 2-2 draw against Wales in late May after almost seven years in footballs international wilderness. The central defenders only previous appearance was as a late substitute against Oman at the 2000 Merdeka Tournament in Kuala Lumpur. Voted player and players player of the year after helping Auckland City capture their third NZFC title after a dream appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2006.

 

[Omni]

Surely wasn't aiming to join the Phoenix 2 years ago

 

[Sean]

Banner idea:

SIGMUND FRAUD

 

[From the dug out]

Steve Eagleton is Budgie's Assistant Coach and is also helping out with our junior development.

Eags has come of the bench 3 times so far this year.

20 minutes against SEU (which became 40 minutes after extra time).
30 mins against Berklery Vale in the Final of the Ass Cup.
45 mins against The Entrance (round 1 of MPL).

Every game getting fitter, after having only played 2 games last year for the Jets, due to injury and form.

Was going to play for Wollongong in the State League, however with young family and living at Blue Haven, decided to keep his family stable.

Top Bloke.

 

[Bear]

Not really a transfer or rumour is it...

 

[From the dug out]

Not now, although most things start as a rumour.

 

[From the dug out]

yeah i play for budge and steve eagleton is coaching and playin this year for budge i know this as i have spoken to him about it

Yeah I read that he was retiring, but it would make sense that he is a player/coach at his age. Good luck to him.

 

[Bear]

Sorry, thats what I meant, its been posted before, so not really a transfer or rumour anymore. Should have elaborated

 

[From the dug out]

Cool, I see what you mean now

Cheers

 

[jockey]

The article is already linking Harry with other clubs and despite his injuries woes anyone coming off a Liverpool contract will still have no shortage of offers. As he implies - few more years and he will come play and nice to know that he wants it to be more than a "token stint". I know he's also "ruling nothing out" But it's more proper diplomacy I'd say for someone who eventually intends to return, as I'd be highly surprised if he can't pick up a contract for at least twice what he could get anywhere here as Marquee. My guess would be look to play OS for two maybe even three more years - perhaps finishing off the international period of his career off with WC 2010.

Then he can return, a triumphant WC winner ;D and play for us... till he retires to begin his coaching career by coaching the youth team ;D

It's my dream and I'm sticking to it!

SPOT ON

 

[priorpeter]

According to 442:

EXCLUSIVE: Ruben Zadkovich will put pen to paper on a Newcastle Jets contract when he returns to Australia according to an SMS message on Gary van Egmonds mobile phone.
Considerable confusion surrounds the Olyroos plans with conflicting reports over whether he was offered a deal with Championship club Crystal Palace.

First it looked like a Jets deal was done and then it looked dead in the water following the players training stint with the London club.

His agent says an offer from Palace was received and subsequently rejected but manager Neil Warnock is on record as saying talk of a contract offer was premature.

Supporters are not the only ones who have been left scratching their heads with van Egmond having sought clarification on the situation.

The Jets coach told au.fourfourtwo.com today: Obviously there have been reports and rumours flying around about Ruben and Crystal Palace.

We just sought to find out the situation and Ive had an SMS message from his agent saying that terms have been agreed (with the Jets) and that Ruben will sign when they both get back from overseas.

So thats the situation as we speak and well just have to see what happens. In my opinion the Championship is probably above the A-League and if a player gets an opportunity to play on that stage then good luck to him.

Reports in the Newcastle press today quote Zadkovichs agent Tom Brooks saying the players intention has always been to sign for the Jets and that he was merely training while visiting his brother on holiday.

Brooks states that Palace were so impressed with the versatile youngster that a deal was put to him.

However, Eagles manager Neil Warnock told the Croydon Advertiser newspaper: Ruben has been training with us but we are still having a look at him.

Zadkovich will pen a one-year contract at EnergyAustralia Stadium having found himself surplus to requirements under John Kosmina at Sydney FC. He will provide van Egmond with options at both full back and in a defensive midfield role.

 

[priorpeter]

I also heard Aurelio Vidmar on TWG talking about Nathan Burns - he sounds like he's resigned to the fact that Burns will be leaving

 

[Tassiemariner]

The ruben Zadkovich saga has ended. He signs with Derby!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/7351979.stm


Derby complete Zadkovich signing 

Zadkovich began his career in QPR's youth team

Derby County have signed versatile Australian international Ruben Zadkovich on a two-year deal.

Zadkovich, who was a free agent, cannot play for the Rams until next season as he left his previous club Sydney FC in March, outside the transfer window.

The 21-year-old can play in central midfield or as a right-back.

Rams boss Jewell said: "Ruben impressed us enormously in training. Other clubs were interested so we made sure we did not miss out on a fantastic talent."

Zadkovich, who began his career as a youth-team player with QPR, also made nine appearances for Notts County in 2005 before returning to his homeland.

Since leaving Sydney he has had trials with several clubs and says he turned down a deal with Crystal Palace to join the Rams.

The Australia Under-23 international told BBC Radio Derby: "Palace offered me a contract and I had a couple of other options but Derby was the right club for me."

Zadkovich knows all about the relegated Rams' problems in the Premier League this season but is confident he can help them bounce back next season.


"The team has struggled this year," he added. "Sometimes you just get stuck in a rut.

"But myself and the club are just looking to the future - there is no point worrying about the past - and I am sure we will have a big year next year.

"At a club like this, with the facilities they have got and the talents they have anad are going to get, you can only expect big things.

"Am I aiming for promotion? Yes, 100%. I am sure all the other players will agree we want to win every game to finish top of the league.

"That is a tough thing to do though so it will come down to taking things one step at a time

 

[FFC Mariner]

Poor scum

Poor Derby too

 

[loyalist]

Was on the front page of the BBC football section
One of the funniest things i've ever seen

 

[thomas477]

im happy