http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/alex-wilkinson-joins-jeonbuk-hyundai-motors-fc-from-central-coast-mariners/story-e6frf4gl-1226428714003Alex Wilkinson has agreed terms with K-League heavyweights Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC on a two-and-a-half year contract.Wilkinson, 27, will join the club from Friday after reaching an agreement with Jeonbuk management on his recent visit to South Korea."It has been seven years with the Mariners and I?ve loved every minute up here," Wilkinson said."I love the team, I love the club, and that?s what has made the decision so hard."But there was always a part of me that wanted to play overseas, and this offer was in the 'too good to refuse' category.""I?m leaving a great club behind (but) Jeonbuk are a very good team that has a very good set-up, so that made the decision a bit easier."Mariners coach Graham Arnold said that Wilkinson could not refuse the offer to set himself up financially."Alex has been a great servant for this club for a very long time, and we are disappointed to see him go," Arnold said."But ... Australian clubs simply cannot compete with the money on offer in other Asian leagues," Arnold said."We have two Australian youth internationals in Trent Sainsbury and Zac Anderson at the Mariners who, given the opportunity alongside someone as experienced as Patrick Zwaanswijk, can do a fine job for us next season."We wish Alex well and, like Mustafa Amini, Rostyn Griffiths and Matt Simon, who have left us in the last seven months, look forward to following their fortunes."Wilkinson made 172 A-League appearances for Central Coast Mariners over seven seasons, including three grand finals, and he was integral to Central Coast's two premiership triumphs.
I'm surprised at the lack of fight to hold onto their players there. In the last year, including this transfer, 3 key players have moved to Asia with the possibility of another moving to England. If they have the desire to win the league, why in the hell are they selling their best players?
Quote from: Roary on July 18, 2012, 10:59:11 PMI'm surprised at the lack of fight to hold onto their players there. In the last year, including this transfer, 3 key players have moved to Asia with the possibility of another moving to England. If they have the desire to win the league, why in the hell are they selling their best players?I believe the finances are pretty shithouse down there and some of these deals have come with quite decent transfer fees which all help the bottom line.. I'm sure Arnie is blowing a gasket though! lol Losing Simon and Griffiths last season nearly cost them the Premiership. Definitely didn't help their finals cause.
Good post mate. But don't you think it's time to change that sig quote?
Word on the street (friend of a friend of his) is that Rhys Meredith off Redlands Utd (who banged a cracking hat-trick against us last month) has signed for WSW as well.
Iacopo La Rocca and Youssouf Hersi Confirmed as Wanderers Signings Tuesday, 11 September 2012 12:00 AM The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers FC today confirmed the signing of two more foreign imports, with Italian Iacopo La Rocca and Dutchman Youssouf Hersi agreeing to terms with the club for season 2012/13.La Rocca arrived in the country a fortnight ago on a trial with the Wanderers and has impressed Coach Tony Popovic enough to earn a contract with Australia’s ‘newest, oldest club’.The 28-year-old will add to an already strong defensive structure and brings with him a large amount of experience from playing in both Italy and Switzerland.Before his arrival in Australia, La Rocca spent his professional career playing seven seasons in the Italian leagues across five clubs and the past five seasons in Switzerland across two clubs.Hersi also arrived in Australia a fortnight ago and adds a wealth of experience to the Wanderers squad.The 30-year-old has represented the Dutch Under 21 side and played 12 years professionally, 10 years in his homeland of the Netherlands as well as one year in Greece and one in Cyprus.The diminutive midfielder is a busy player who loves being heavily involved in all areas on the pitch.Coach Tony Popovic is delighted to have both experienced men as part of the Wanderers squad.“I’m excited about what these guys will bring to our squad,†Popovic said. “They are both experienced players who have spent a number of years in different parts of the world so they will definitely bring a different style to our team but will definitely fit in with what we are wanting to achieve.“Iacopo will add to our defensive area of the pitch and will relish the opportunity to work with guys like Michael (Beauchamp) and Nikolai (Topor-Stanley) whilst Youssouf will add a lot of speed and skill to our midfield which will benefit our squad.â€Iacopo La RoccaBorn: 17-Feb-84, Rome, ItalyNationality: ItalianHeight: 188cm / Weight: 77kgMain position: DefenderSenior career: 2001-2004 Pro Vercelli (Italy), 2004 Treviso (Italy), 2005 Chieti (Italy), 2005-2006 Fermana Calcio (Italy), 2006-2007 Sassari Torres (Italy), 2007-2011 Bellinzona (Switzerland), 2011-2012 Grasshoppers Zurich (Switzerland)Youssouf HersiBorn: 20-Aug-82, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaNationality: DutchHeight: 180cm / Weight: 74kgMain position: MidfielderJunior club: Ajax (Netherlands)Senior career: 2000-2001 Ajax (Netherlands), 2001-2002 NAC Breda (Netherlands), 2002–2004 NEC Nijmegen (Netherlands), 2004 Heerenveen (Netherlands), 2005-2007 Vitesse Arnhem (Netherlands), 2007-2009 FC Twente (Netherlands), 2009-2010 AEK Athens (Greece), 2010-2011 De Graafschap (Netherlands), 2012 Alki Larnaca (Cyprus)Representative honours: Netherlands Under-21http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/wswanderersfc/news-display/Iacopo-La-Rocca-and-Youssouf-Hersi-Confirmed-as-Wanderers-Signings/49026
There's a rumour on the Smurfs forum that the Tards may be very close to signing David Carney.
I wish my vagina excused me from being completely clueless but allowed to be paid as an 'expert'
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