Former Western Sydney Wanderers premiership winning right back Jerome Polenz is set to return to the A-League, with champions Brisbane Roar set to sign him in the January transfer window as a replacement for Matt Smith.
The Roar sources indicate that Polenz arrived in Brisbane this week.
With the Roar only having four foreigners on the books, Polenz is set to fill the final spot, with Frans Thijssen having the option of using him in the centre of defence alongside Jade North, or right back, where Brisbane have had issues since Ivan Franjic left.
Polenz became a fan favourite after two strong seasons with the Wanderers, earning a reputation as a key part of Tony Popovic’s formula, but they couldn’t come to an agreement at the end of last season.
His great combination with Youssef Hersi was a key factor in the Wanderers making consecutive grand finals, and the Wanderers haven’t yet found a solution at right back since he left.
Polenz had a brief and unsettled spell in the Norwegian Tippeligaen, and could make his return to the A-League as early as the Roar’s trip to Wellington on January 4.
Draino
Guest
Lets pay out the whole team, and with the peanuts we have left, employ the W League side. I am sure they would appreciate the pay rise.
Draino
Guest
Same issue from another perspective, trying to replace a known player, with a maybe is always hard. A lot of players seem to change clubs and then never quite live up to expectations or exceed expectatations. Welcome to transfer roulette.
The Bear
Guest
This means we lose a centre back with no versatility and medium ability AND gain a dynamic, talented and versatile player. This is more like it. Bit more of a robust replacement for Franjic, defensively. Should take the pressure off the developing, young CBs in the squad. Very smart signing.
Realfootball
Guest
I'm not so sure. Would not be surprised to see him paid off and sent home.
Josh
Guest
What are you on about ? I don't care about Brisbane's plight in the slightest, if you wanted to keep Berisha you should have matched the offer. I'm just angry that WSW couldnt keep Polenz and never filled the gap, now to see him in another A League team's colours won't be nice at all.
BES
Guest
Well I am assuming that is a given at the end of this 1 year deal.
Waz
Guest
Or we could just send Kurtishi home again! Nice bloke but ....
BES
Guest
well i can only hope with Henrique picking up his Aust citizenship next month, that we will use his import spot for a striker.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
I seriously loved when Polenz played for us. Glad he is back in the A-league. A great signing for Brisbane.
Draino
Guest
I just got two things to say to you: Besart Berisha. If he was still at the Roar we would be back on top of the ladder.
Josh
Guest
This one hurts, many WSW fans didn't want him to go in the first place.
Waz
Guest
Mate, that's a desperate stretch of the imagination - he's a class player that can cover right back, centre back or right midfield; and you're really trying to find a reason his isn't a good signing???
Waz
Guest
Don't dusagree we need at keast one sticker signed, plus one more defender - were weak on cover still
Realfootball
Guest
Good signing. Now, as others have noted, we need a striker. How about bringing Bulut or Babalj back? Still young, talented, just not working for them over there. Could be a loan... Come on, Brisbane, as Slammin Sam says, you know it makes sense.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Will be great to see him back in the A-League. Miss him at WSW but grateful for what he did for the club.
Draino
Guest
What about a striker. No offence to Gerome but Berisha was able to score in the GF because Gerome was a metre behind the other defenders, so no offside trap.
brisvegas
Guest
I'm tempted to ask what's so exclusive about this news. It's been talked about for a few weeks now.
Waz
Guest
If this is true this is great news; we've got two young defenders (Bowles and Doneque) who are doing really, really well but you cant beat experience like this. It's worth losing Matt Smith to pick up a player of this quality.