It has emerged that Japanese playmaker Shinji Ono will on Friday be unveiled as the inaugural marquee player of A-League club the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Media sources, including The Australian newspaper, have reported that the former Feyenoord and Wolfsburg man, capped 56 times for his country, has terminated his contract with J-League club Shimizu S-Pulse.
It is understood that Ono and Shimizu manager Afshin Ghotbi had fallen out and both parties reached an agreement to end Ono’s time at the club yesterday.
Earlier in the day it was reported that Michael Ballack, who was also a strong candidate to join Western Sydney, had issued an ultimatum to the Wanderers, asking for a concrete offer from the club before close of business on Friday.
It now seems likely that Ballack will recommence discussions with clubs in the Middle East and United States, who he had turned down earlier in the hope of securing a move to Australia.
Tomorrow’s expected announcement will leave the Wanderers with six foreign players, one above the usual quota of five.
However, over the weekend the FFA confirmed that the Wanderers will be granted an extra visa slot for their first two years of existence to aid the start-up club.
Ono is expected to sign a two-year-deal amounting to $800,000 per season.
Mato-Bateman
Guest
Think they will sign Ballack as the second foreign marquee?
Bob
Guest
WSW signed the wrong player, Ballack basically gave himself to Australia and the FFA turned him down.
Cappuccino
Roar Guru
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Ono has signed a one year deal for $500000, with the option of a second year. He will arrive on Sunday.
Wasp
Guest
I do not see what is wrong with Ono, a better capture than Ballack, both would be fantastic. However I feel long term for the team he is a better player. He will also bring the interest from Asia, in particular Japan where he has a cult following. It may result in better coverage for our team and league in Asia. That means long term probably money from Tv and other interests, maybe even the odd Japanese company wishing to invest more in the League in sponsorships. Small steps lead to stability. Sometimes big bang players cater for imediate results, bums on seats in the short term, but when they go the crowds go. Look at FC, theyt have had a producttion line of decent players who drew the crowds for periods but they did not take advantage of it. I feel ADP is going to be different for them. But I think the Wanderers are looking past the short term high of having Ballack for a season. Let's hope more come in greater numbers and we will see the League competing with the MLS and the J League for players and interest outside of the country. Heskey is a great buy as well, he for my liking will do very well for the Jets. Just get the season going, can't wait.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Ned Zelic tweeted that WSW have gone for a Toyota and not a Mercedes. I guess we'll see how Ono will go but I thought Ballack would have been a good capture and been a good media front for the league and the game here. One week to go... (>.<)