A-League Transfers and signings

[Il Duce]

The World Game wrote:Colosimo and trio join Heart

After weeks of negotiations with a clutch of A-League players, Melbourne Heart have snared Newcastle’s Matt Thompson, Adelaide’s Kristian Sarkies, Central Coast’s Dean Heffernan and have agreed personal terms with sought-after Simon Colosimo.

Fringe Socceroo Colosimo, playing the best football of his career, is the pick of the four-pronged swoop with a Heart insider revealing on Monday night that the defender had committed himself to the club on a three-year deal worth a hefty $750,000.

While Colosimo’s agent Leo Karis decreed that no deal had yet been done, the Heart source insisted that Colosimo – certain to be reinstated to the national team for January’s Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait – was “in the bag”.

“There have been discussions certainly and an offer for Simon is on the table but he will not be making a final call on his future for a few weeks yet,” Karis explained.

Colosimo had indicated that a move to Asia in January was on his radar, but even if that were to go ahead it might only be short-term option with a view to keeping him in prime condition for South Africa 2010.

News of the his switch back to his home town will be a bitter blow for Sydney FC officials who were desperate to secure the 30-year-old defender for two more years with his current contract due to expire in June.

Capped 24 times by Australia, Colosimo has been a colossus for Sydney this season after an injury-battered first year at the club he joined from Perth Glory.

Also heading south is Mariners defender Heffernan, who like the others will be out of contract in June.

Heffernan, 29, made his Socceroos debut against Indonesia in January and has been a stand-out this season for the marauding Mariners after returning from a broken leg and a character-building loan move to Bundesliga outfit Nurnberg.

While chief executive Scott Munn declined to confirm any of the signings in the interests of protecting players with a potential backlash from fans at their current clubs, it’s understood that Newcastle skipper Thompson and Adelaide United’s former Melbourne Victory attacking midfielder Sarkies put pen to paper before coach John van’t Schip jetted to Europe late last week with his shopping trolley and an order for four visa players.

Newcastle owner Con Constantine last week hinted that midfielder Thompson, 27, was on his way after the A-League strugglers failed to match the $170,000 two-year offer on the table from the Heart.

Sarkies, a grand final winner and goalscorer with the Victory when they crushed Adelaide 6-0 in season two of the A-League, is expected to earn $150,000.

Like Thompson, he has been in negotiations with Munn and the Heart’s football director John Didulica for a prolonged period after the club contacted the Reds seeking permission, to talk to him as his current contract winds down.

Deadball specialist Sarkies, for all his promise, made just 35 appearances in two-and-half injury marred seasons with the Reds and is not a guaranteed starter under coach Aurelio Vidmar.

He trained with the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup and won plaudits from then coach Guus Hiddink, who handed him the first of two Socceroos caps in the 3-1 World Cup warm win over Liechtenstein.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league ... art-260272

[Il Duce]

Good work by the heart to pick up Colosimo and Heffernan and also thank you for taking Sarkies off our hands. Like most United fans we are not sad to see the back of him, however whats the bet he will play his socks of for the heart and probley destroy us when we play them.

[mypaddock]

Good work by the heart to pick up Colosimo and Heffernan and also thank you for taking Sarkies off our hands. Like most United fans we are not sad to see the back of him, however whats the bet he will play his socks of for the heart and probley destroy us when we play them.

Why do they continually harp on about Sarkies being a dead-ball specialist??? I can't recall him ever scoring a free kick!!!

[Il Duce]

Quote:The Central Coast Mariners have made a major signing coup, North Queensland Fury striker Daniel McBreen to join the club for two years from the start of next season.

Born in Burnley in the North of England, McBreen migrated to Australia with his family when he was just six weeks old, and grew up in Newcastle’s Western Suburbs.

He played his junior football for Edgeworth before signing on with Newcastle United for their inaugural National Soccer League campaign in 2000.

After scoring nine goals in his 36 appearances at Newcastle, McBreen took up an offer with Romanian side FC Universitatea Craiova, before embarking on a six-year career in the English and Scottish league.

The most notable stint was with Scottish Premier League side Falkirk, where he managed 21 goals in 64 appearances for the Bairns.

The now 32-year-old returned to Australia at the start of the current season to take up a deal with the Fury, scoring three goals so far this campaign and impressing many with his performances alongside marquee striker Robbie Fowler.

“We’ve got a great goalscoring record this season, we’ve scored the third most goals of any club in the league, and I think Daniel can come in and help us in front of goal next year as well," Mariners manager Lawrie McKinna said.

After seven years away, which yielded highlights such as a Scottish Cup semi final goal against Rangers at Hampden Park and an FA Trophy final appearance at Wembley, McBreen is excited to be returning home.

“It’s good to get a two year contract because it gives you some stability, and you can set your mind on what you want to do, but to be at a good club is great as well,” said McBreen.

“It’s an established club which has done well in the past, and I’m really looking forward to getting there and being a part of it."

[Il Duce]

442 wrote:Marrone To Swap Reds For Fury

NORTH Queensland Fury have signed Adelaide United youngster Michael Marrone on a two-year deal starting after the Reds' Asian Champions League group stage campaign.
The 22-year-old right back featured in Adelaide United's youth squad up until the end of last season and is a former teammate of Fury midfielder Osama Malik and featured in the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup for the Reds.

Fury coach Ian Ferguson is excited with the prospect of having the former Qantas Young Socceroo in his squad for next season.

"He's a fantastic young talent and I'm really pleased to be getting him on board next season," Ferguson said.

"Michael will give us another option at the back and is another one who gives us some youth to develop for the future."

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/118365,m ... -fury.aspx

[Il Duce]

Adelaide United Official Website wrote:Adelaide United secure Argentinean playmaker

Adelaide United FC has made a major signing for next season after luring Argentinean midfielder Marcos Flores to the club on a two year deal.

The South American has been high on the Reds’ recruiting list over the past year, and after initial contract negotiations fell through last April, Flores has now committed to joining the Hyundai A-League and 2008 AFC Champions League Finalists.

United Specialist Coach Carl Veart made a trip to South America early this year to meet with Flores and watch him in action, the former Socceroos striker’s appraisal of the 24 year old on his return to Australia all positive.

Flores’ move to Adelaide is subject to a medical and visa clearance, but Reds boss Aurelio Vidmar is confident of the clearances going through and having the talented attacking midfielder’s services.

“We’re hoping he brings a little bit of quality into our attacking third,” Vidmar said.

“He’s certainly got the ability to do that, and Carl (Veart) was very impressed with him when he went over and saw him earlier this year. We tried to sign him then, but unfortunately due to his contract situation it was very difficult, but he has been very keen to come here since then, and we’ve stayed in contact so we’re really pleased that it has happened now.”

At this stage, presuming his medical and visa clearances are successful, United expects to have Flores available for the club’s first match in the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League 2010.

“It’s not easy tracking players but we certainly feel he is that type of playmaker that every club needs,” Vidmar said.

“He can score goals as well so he probably gets half a dozen per season, but he has also got a very good ability to bring players into the game. He has that vision to put the ball in the right spot, and I think he’ll be a handy addition to our team.”

Born and bred in Argentina, Flores came through the junior ranks at Union Santa Fe before joining first division side Newell’s Old Boys at the age of 21, the club known for contributing a host of Argentina national players with previous names including Gabriel Batistuta, Diego Maradona and most recently Lionel Messi.

Known for his exceptional skills and ability to create chances, Flores has the ability to go past players and has a great shot.

Recent results may not have been going Adelaide United’s way of late, but Flores’ imminent arrival and the high regard he is held in is positive news and a significant coup for the club.

Marcos FLORES
Full Name Marcos Abel Flores Benard
DOB 23 October 1985 (Reconquista, Argentina)
Age 24
Position Attacking Midfielder
Height 186cm
Weight 75kg

Club History
2009 Curico Unido (Chile)
2007/08 Union Santa Fe (Argentina)
2006/07 Newell’s Old Boys de Rosario (Argentina)
2003-05 Union Santa Fe (Argentina)

http://www.adelaideunited.com.au/defaul ... y&id=31268

[johntheclaret]

Quote:The Central Coast Mariners have made a major signing coup, North Queensland Fury striker Daniel McBreen to join the club for two years from the start of next season.

Born in Burnley in the North of England, McBreen migrated to Australia with his family when he was just six weeks old, and grew up in Newcastle’s Western Suburbs.

He played his junior football for Edgeworth before signing on with Newcastle United for their inaugural National Soccer League campaign in 2000.

After scoring nine goals in his 36 appearances at Newcastle, McBreen took up an offer with Romanian side FC Universitatea Craiova, before embarking on a six-year career in the English and Scottish league.

The most notable stint was with Scottish Premier League side Falkirk, where he managed 21 goals in 64 appearances for the Bairns.

The now 32-year-old returned to Australia at the start of the current season to take up a deal with the Fury, scoring three goals so far this campaign and impressing many with his performances alongside marquee striker Robbie Fowler.

“We’ve got a great goalscoring record this season, we’ve scored the third most goals of any club in the league, and I think Daniel can come in and help us in front of goal next year as well," Mariners manager Lawrie McKinna said.

After seven years away, which yielded highlights such as a Scottish Cup semi final goal against Rangers at Hampden Park and an FA Trophy final appearance at Wembley, McBreen is excited to be returning home.

“It’s good to get a two year contract because it gives you some stability, and you can set your mind on what you want to do, but to be at a good club is great as well,” said McBreen.

“It’s an established club which has done well in the past, and I’m really looking forward to getting there and being a part of it."

Another one that got away

[whufc]

Personally don't like the idea of players signing for other clubs before this season is out,

[The Riddler]

Why would Adelaide agree to sell Marrone? I rate this kid, gonna be a quality player with more experience under his belt.

[johntheclaret]

WEDNESDAY TAKE ON AUSSIES

Sheffield Wednesday will run the rule over a selection of young Australian footballers over the next few months.

Former Owls midfielder Adem Poric, the head coach of the Total Football Academy in Australia, has provided the players who will be at the club on a trial basis, with a view to possibly earning an Academy contract at Hillsborough.

Poric told Wednesday Player: "We've brought 10 players over with us on this occasion, eight of whom will do a month of training and two will do five months. They will get the chance to see exactly what it's like to be a young professional footballer so it's a fantastic opportunity. I believe one or two of the lads have the ability and the potential to go all the way with Sheffield Wednesday."

[aceman]

Damien Mori to be assistant at CCM. If Graham Arnold moves on to bigger things, Mori gets the head coach gig at CCM

[The Real Number 3]

Adam Griffiths to Adelaide United

[Il Duce]

either of those 2 offical or are they rumors?

[The Real Number 3]

Griffith trained today, apparently signing for ACL and next year

[Zelezny Chucks]

Not sure he has signed for next year it looks to be a 6 month contract.

[Keefy]

Flores to line-up for the last 2 games of the A-League season

Still waiting on Griffiths FIFA International transfer Certificate

[Keefy]

SERGINHO van Dijk will officially be announced as Adelaide United's newest AFC Champions League signing today.

The Dutch-born Brisbane Roar striker will join United as soon as his domestic duties are complete when the Queenslanders play their last A-League match of the season against Perth Glory in Perth on Saturday night.

It's understood van Dijk has signed a six-month contract with the option of extending his deal once Champions League duties are complete.

[Keefy]

SERGINHO van Dijk will officially be announced as Adelaide United's newest AFC Champions League signing today.

The Dutch-born Brisbane Roar striker will join United as soon as his domestic duties are complete when the Queenslanders play their last A-League match of the season against Perth Glory in Perth on Saturday night.

It's understood van Dijk has signed a six-month contract with the option of extending his deal once Champions League duties are complete.

Serginho van Dijk has signed a 3 year deal with United, beating Roar and Sydney FC to his signature.

[devilsadvocate]

Great news. Hopefully he can convert some of the chances we create. That was our biggest downfall this season IMO.

[RoosterMarty]

Huge signing! He is strong in the air and a natural goal scorer, glad he has decided to hang around after the ACL Group Stage.