Michael Ballack signs with A-League’s Western Sydney Wanderers

 
Myles Stedman Roar Guru

By , 20 Sep 2012 Myles Stedman is a Roar Guru

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    Exclusive sources have today confirmed for me that German football star Michael Ballack is arriving in Sydney tomorrow to confirm a two-year deal with the newest A-League franchise, the Western Sydney Wanderers.

    Many sites, such as the Sydney Morning Herald have reported that the Wanderers rejected the latest offer for Michael Ballack’s, services put forward by his management. They apparently were unconvinced by his commitment and conditioning.

    But this is in fact untrue, and The Roar‘s Myles Stedman can confirm that Ballack has agreed to a contract and will meet with Western Sydney Wanderers management within the next day to officially sign.

    Ballack takes to three the number of ex-English Premier League and European players to sign with A-League clubs this off-season, the others being Alessandro Del Piero with Sydney FC and Emile Heskey with the Newcastle Jets.

    Michael Ballack has had a checkered career, representing Germany 98 times, scoring 42 goals. The former German captain has also represented five other clubs including Bayern Munich and Chelsea. The Wanderers will become his sixth.

    Ballack’s stop at Paramatta may well prove to be his swansong, as the 35 year old midfielder is nearing the end of his career. He will however, no doubt boost the profile of the A-League within Australia, and among world football.

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    Editor’s note: At the time of publishing, The Roar could not confirm the opinion in this Roar of the crowd.