Perth Glory hope to sign former Netherlands star Marc Overmars
By Braden Quartermaine
May 03, 2009 Perth Glory have set their sights on reborn former Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona star Marc Overmars as a marquee signing for next A-League season.
Glory coach David Mitchell met with the 36-year-old ex-Netherlands midfielder in Holland during his recent European raid.
"We certainly discussed coming to Australia and he was pretty keen. We've made a concerted effort to make it pretty exciting down here. We're trying to get real quality in," said Mitchell.
Former Uruguay and Inter Milan star Alvaro Recoba, currently with Greek side Panionios, has indicated he is keen on a move to Australia but Glory appear to be one of four A-League clubs competing for his signature.
Overmars is currently at Dutch second-tier club Go Ahead Eagles, where he began his illustrious career in 1990.
Crucially, that is the club that produced fellow former Netherlands international and Glory midfielder Victor Sikora. Sikora's input could be key to ambitious Glory completing the coup.
Overmars returned to the game last year after being retired for four years. He was forced into retirement prematurely in 2004 with a knee injury.
The fairytale return began when he played in a tribute match for former national teammate Jaap Stam last July and stunned onlookers with his pace and skill. Clubs around Holland were soon on the phone asking if he would make a comeback.
Overmars claimed he was more surprised than anybody with the decision, saying "maybe someone wants to make it into a movie".
Glory are now trying to convince Overmars his script, which took him from Ajax in Holland to Highbury and the Nou Camp, ends on the other side of the world at Members Equity Stadium.
Former club champion David Tarka and Brazilian warhorse Amaral have been shown the door as Glory clear the decks to announce a string of overseas signings in the next month.
Former Barclays Premier League defender Andy Todd, 34, is set to be the first unveiled.
Blimey! Glory are on a buying frenzy... Although, I have heard a lot of names mentioned - all in their mid to late thirties and not a great deal of pen to paper (other than the all but finalised Jacob Burns). I guess they will all be revealed in the coming weeks. Wish the same headlines were being written about the Mariners.
By Braden Quartermaine
May 03, 2009 Perth Glory have set their sights on reborn former Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona star Marc Overmars as a marquee signing for next A-League season.
Glory coach David Mitchell met with the 36-year-old ex-Netherlands midfielder in Holland during his recent European raid.
"We certainly discussed coming to Australia and he was pretty keen. We've made a concerted effort to make it pretty exciting down here. We're trying to get real quality in," said Mitchell.
Former Uruguay and Inter Milan star Alvaro Recoba, currently with Greek side Panionios, has indicated he is keen on a move to Australia but Glory appear to be one of four A-League clubs competing for his signature.
Overmars is currently at Dutch second-tier club Go Ahead Eagles, where he began his illustrious career in 1990.
Crucially, that is the club that produced fellow former Netherlands international and Glory midfielder Victor Sikora. Sikora's input could be key to ambitious Glory completing the coup.
Overmars returned to the game last year after being retired for four years. He was forced into retirement prematurely in 2004 with a knee injury.
The fairytale return began when he played in a tribute match for former national teammate Jaap Stam last July and stunned onlookers with his pace and skill. Clubs around Holland were soon on the phone asking if he would make a comeback.
Overmars claimed he was more surprised than anybody with the decision, saying "maybe someone wants to make it into a movie".
Glory are now trying to convince Overmars his script, which took him from Ajax in Holland to Highbury and the Nou Camp, ends on the other side of the world at Members Equity Stadium.
Former club champion David Tarka and Brazilian warhorse Amaral have been shown the door as Glory clear the decks to announce a string of overseas signings in the next month.
Former Barclays Premier League defender Andy Todd, 34, is set to be the first unveiled.
Blimey! Glory are on a buying frenzy... Although, I have heard a lot of names mentioned - all in their mid to late thirties and not a great deal of pen to paper (other than the all but finalised Jacob Burns). I guess they will all be revealed in the coming weeks. Wish the same headlines were being written about the Mariners.
