Harry Kewell will be in Perth swinging a golf club this week, but Glory owner Tony Sage is hopeful the star striker will soon be strutting his stuff with a soccer ball for the A-League club.
Kewell’s career has been in limbo since leaving Melbourne Victory for family reasons at the end of last season, with his Socceroos’ ambitions taking a dive during his time away from the game.
The 34-year-old is desperate to remain in the fold for the 2014 World Cup, and knows he must land a club soon if he is to work his way back into the Socceroos’ fold.
Sage only became aware of Kewell’s interest in returning to the A-League after bumping into the former Liverpool star at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
Perth have already secured a full list of 23 contracted players this season, meaning Kewell could only join the club as a guest player on a maximum 10-game deal.
Kewell, who will compete in the October 8-11 Pro-Am Series golf event at The Vines, will use his time in Perth to meet Glory coach Ian Ferguson and chief executive Paul Kelly.
Sage said Perth skipper Jacob Burns, who played with Kewell at Leeds United, would also do his best to convince the star striker to sign with Glory.
“He’s very keen now on getting his career back on track,” Sage said of Kewell.
“He did say to me he’s made a lot of money out of sport, so money’s not an issue for him. He just wants to start playing, because he wants to play for Australia again.
“He’s got other offers on the table, but he didn’t say who or where.”
Sage said should the Glory lure Kewell to Perth, the club would try to shift its home games to Patersons Stadium (formerly Subiaco Oval) in a bid to accommodate the increased interest.
Home ground nib Stadium is operating at a reduced capacity of 10,000 due to redevelopment.
Bludger
Guest
So, the mother-in-laws health has come good, so he can come back to Oz. Hope he just gets back on the field and plays well. There is obviously more to him leaving MVFC.
Peter Wilson
Roar Guru
Sage and Kewell talking through the bottom of a champagne glass at the Melbourne Cup. "Money's no worry sunshine . . . " Ferguson's not that keen on him and their playing roster is full. FFA have to change the rules to suit Glory (yet again!)
whiskeymac
Guest
hype and expectation perhaps were unrealistic and or overtook the reality - people expected him to be like messi maybe and were disappointed when he played like a 30 something (prone to injury) player, with a lot of talent, in a disjointed and badly managed team when he could?
striker
Guest
West sydney should have gone after him would have definately brang in more crowds there unlike ONO.
Lmacca
Guest
What I don't understand is the vitriol/dismissal aimed at his play last year. He was actually pretty good for Victory. Better than Emerton for Sydney over the course of the season. But you wouldn't know it based on the way he's been written off. I do hope he comes back and plays again. Doubt he has other offers though - sounds like a classic bargaining ploy. If he had other offers he would already be playing I'd wager.
whiskeymac
Guest
agree with this Mid. The ending was not right for this player. In the green and gold, from Tehran onwards he has been a brilliant player to watch and promote the roos and it was a shame injury cruelled his longetivity and impact for periods (despite which he was good in that Croatia game in 2006). He had that X factor missing in many players, Aussie or otherwise. Hopefully he and Glory get it on and they do each other justice. What a marquee season there is - kewell potentially, ono, heskey, and some Italian guy i forget the name of.
Midfielder
Guest
Glad to see ... I have a lot of time for Harry... and he has done a lot for football in Australia and has often received negative press ... my all time fav player...