Melbourne Heart’s A-League recruiting spree has netted experienced Dutch defender Rob Wielaert.
The 34-year-old joins Harry Kewell, who signed with the Heart last week, while the club has also snared Adelaide’s Iain Ramsay and Brisbane’s Massimo Murdocca so far this off-season.
Wielaert has played more than 350 games in the Dutch Eredivisie, including stints with three of Holland’s biggest clubs – PSV, Ajax and FC Twente, who he captained.
He started 22 games for Eredivisie club Roda JC last season.
“Wielaert has superb pedigree and his experience at the top level is very impressive,” Heart coach John Aloisi said.
“He is a smart footballer and will be an excellent organiser of the team from the back.”
The coming A-League season will be Wielaert’s first outside Holland.
“The club sounds great, the city and the country too, so I am looking forward to giving everything for this club,” Wielaert said.
my left foot
Guest
Me too, I am pretty happy with all the changes made by Aloisi in the off so far, bring it on.
Stevo
Guest
PG is still around and a bit of a fan favourite but with Colosimo gone that leaves too much of an experience gap in the back line - too much yoof on the backline is not good for my Heart beat :) . Vranks can/will develop but just needs time and experienced players to help him. Really looking forward to the opening match and a large crowd at Etihad.
cliffclavin
Guest
Is Patrick Gerhard still around - if not sounds like a good partner for Vrankovic - who has looked pretty good from the handful of times i watch him play on the telly. I am a Victory fan - but Hearts have already proved their youth policy with a number of quality young players moving abroad to good leagues in Europe and East Asia and the young fullback from the back end of last season looks the goods as well - the one with buffon hair. Looking forward to a derby win for my mob though.
Stevo
Guest
Just hate it how some comments are soooo predictable LOL!
Franko
Guest
They need to release a statement to their fans saying "The youf policy is dead, we just want some wins on the board" to have any credibility.
albatross
Roar Pro
34?? Let's hope he's as durable as Patrick Z