Central Coast Mariners defensive duo Michael Beauchamp and Dean Heffernan have reportedly signed for Bundesliga team 1. FC Nürnberg (aka Der Club). The Mariners will receive $250,000 in compensation for the pair, both of whom seem to have agreed to one-year loan deals with a view to sealing permanent contracts in the future.
Champions of the second-tier competition two years ago and 14th in the Bundesliga last year, Nürnberg currently reside in a safe mid-table position. Among the best players in their team are Slovakian internationals Robert Vittek and Marek Mintal. Vittek has scored a remarkable nine goals in Nürnberg's last five league games. Fellow Australian Joshua Kennedy will be joining the team next year from 2. Bundesliga outfit 1. FC Dynamo Dresden.
Nürnberg's home ground is the Frankenstadion, a 45,000 all-seater that will host five matches at the 2006 World Cup (including England versus Trinidad & Tobago, Japan versus Croatia, and a second round match likely to feature Argentina or Holland). Crowds for league games fluctuate wildly, but it seems that houses in excess of 40,000 are the norm for visitations of the bigger local clubs.
Update (Apr-4): In relation to the above speculated fee for the duo, Mariners chairman Lyle Gorman has declared, "That figure is bullshit". Central Coast will be pursuing a more lucrative deal for the still contracted players.
3 April 2006
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2 comments:
Do you know how much of a chance Meggsy and Sonic are going to play there? I don't want them to be another Frank Juric who has just gone from club to club in Germany to sit on the bench.
I think they both have a good chance of making an impact. They have the necessary variables for success in the Bundesliga: strength, pace, fitness, fast reactions, mental toughness. I don't know if Nuremberg has a pressing need for central and left-sided defensive help, but their goal difference (-5 last time I checked) suggests that the occasional starting spot may make itself available. Inevitably, I guess a lot depends on how the lads go when they do receive their chance. Let's just hope injuries aren't a deciding factor!
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