Cynics might not be surprised that extrovert Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg is speaking double Dutch ahead of the A-League season.
However, United fans can breathe easy – Bleiberg is merely unveiling yet another injection from the Netherlands to his dramatically drained 2011-12 Gold Coast squad.
Days after welcoming Dutch defensive utility Paul Beekmans to the tourist strip, Bleiberg has confirmed the signing of countryman and midfield dynamo Peter Jungschlager for the depleted Gold Coast outfit.
It is a major shot in the arm for perennial A-League finalists United.
They are still reeling from the off-season departure of ex-skipper Jason Culina, Kiwi marksman Shane Smeltz, Zenon Caravella, Steve Pantelidis, Dino Djulbic, Bas van den Brink and Bruce Djite.
Indeed, speculation was rife about United’s future after the mass exodus came amid rumours players were only being offered one-year contracts.
Sanity prevailed after billionaire owner Clive Palmer met A-League boss Lyall Gorman recently – still, Bleiberg was left to pick up the pieces with few senior stars and plenty of untried youth.
However, Bleiberg is quietly confident of launching yet another A-League finals campaign after snaffling up his latest Dutch treat.
The Gold Coast coach claims United signed Jungschlager despite competition from clubs in England, Holland, Germany and Austria.
The 184cm, 27-year-old midfielder – who takes up United’s fifth and final visa spot on their roster – is expected to arrive mid-July.
“Peter’s pedigree speaks for itself and we are very confident he will prove to be a first-class signing for the club,” said Bleiberg.
“Players of his age who are playing first team football in a top European league don’t become available very often to A-League clubs, especially when there are other European clubs trying to sign them as well.
“Taking all that into account makes us even more delighted and excited to have finalised this deal.”
Jungschlager was lured away from leading Netherlands’ outfit De Graafschap, where he made 79 appearances – 31 of those last season in the Eredivisie (top division).
A product of the famous ADO Den Haag youth academy, Jungschlager was voted the most underrated Eredivisie player by leading Dutch football magazine Voetbal International and reportedly attracted interest in April from English Championship side Coventry City.
“Peter was not a fringe player at De Graafschap. He only missed three matches for them last season and that alone says a lot about his quality,” Bleiberg said.
“He can play in a number of midfield roles so he brings plenty of flexibility to the squad.”
United have signed 20 out of the permitted 23 for the senior roster for 2011-12.
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