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.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Shame this never eventuated. Would have been amazing for the A-league and would have provided that little something extra.
matthewthorpe
Roar Pro
lol
Chris Beadnell
Roar Rookie
Well, that exclusive was Myles off!!
southendaussies
Guest
So after Ono was signed as the marquee player for the Wanderers today, this story is done and dusted. Let's move on to the season.
TomC
Roar Guru
Not a great start to young Myles' career as a news-breaker.
matthewthorpe
Roar Pro
and as a liverpool fan i feel i have a right to not really like emile heskey
matthewthorpe
Roar Pro
actually i am in the top 1% of my field in the world, i also get fired up and post individual criticisms of other roarers because im a guru and know better
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@matthewthorpe "heskey’s case never had a best" Heskey played EPL football & he represented ENG at 2 FIFA WCs. That puts Emile Heskey in the top 1% in his field of work. What about you - how do you rank in your field of work? Can you say you've ever been considered as performing in the "top 1% in the world"
MV Dave
Guest
You seem pretty concerned about the rise in media profile and attention little ol HAL is getting TC...
Titus
Guest
You'll never please some people Stevo, some people are just too good for everything.
matthewthorpe
Roar Pro
except when all the signings are players 10 years past their best, or in heskey's case never had a best
mahony
Guest
Yea, you're right. Form is much better than function. Fair play to the author of this piece.....
TomC
Roar Guru
...and no one really likes you?
TC
Guest
Michael Ballack and I have much in common. We are amongst the elite in our chosen professions, and we are both multi-lingual. And without wanting to put too fine a point on it, we are both exceptionally good looking blokes. TC
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
I'm sure ego helps. Lifestyle may be a factor as well. At the end of the day, these players love football, and if they go to the middle-east or china they will probably just be seen as mercenaries. The stage the A-League is in at the moment, they can come here and enjoy playing while feel like they are contributing, to spread and grow the game they love? Of course this is just me speculating.
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
Haha completely agree about the colours Tim. As shallow as it is, the strip is one of the main reasons I'm switching my allegiance to WSW this year :)
Stevo
Guest
So now there's no reason for Euro snobs and EPL types to give the HAL the two fingered salute?
Punter
Guest
Now Foxsports calling the signing imminent, based on World game report. Well done Myles & Roar!!!!!
bergkamp
Guest
Confused, me. How would this work? WSW have signed their 5 visa players. I've read various options - other clubs will agree to dispensation or it's just a 10 game guest stint?
Kickass Koala
Guest
I wonder if maybe Broich got a word to him about the league or he called Broich up ? They did play together. Seems alot of players would prefer our league over other leagues outside of europe as they get older because of lifestyle, it being a new league, the lesser amount of games played. So it just comes down to money and if they are ok with a cut in wage as a sacrifice.