Shane Smeltz (Guiseley AFC | England)
New Zealand World Cup star Shane Smeltz is hoping for a move to the Bundesliga.
Smeltz currently plies his trade in the Australian A-League with Gold Coast United.
But the striker, who was actually born in Germany, would love the chance to play in his homeland.
Smeltz' only previous experience of playing in Europe was in England, where he spent all his time playing for Mansfield, Halifax and AFC Wimbledon.
Now Smeltz, who scored in New Zealand's famous 1-1 draw with Italy last week, is hopeful he can secure a move to Germany.
"I unfortunately don't speak any German, my parents moved over to New Zealand when I was just one-year-old and I have never been back to Germany since then," he told Sportinformationsdienst.
"I hope I am someday going to be back in this great country I was born in.
"It would certainly be a dream coming true to appear in the Bundesliga, I am a keen follower of the league via TV.
"The supporters as much as the atmosphere in the Bundesliga stadiums are incredible!"
according to blieberg smeltz "negotiating with several clubs" but nothing concrete tabled yet. seems to expect him to leave
Yep gutted he's not going more north.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/11/2950442.htm?site=sport§ion=football
Shandong Luneng, apparently.
zonknz2010-07-11 21:08:35
zonknz2010-07-11 21:15:39
I'm glad they're a good Chinese team, but still. His offers must have been Arabic countries, Saudi, Dubai etc.. because there is no way he would turn down Europe for China. Either he's just in it for the cash or the offers just weren't as promising as we thought. Can't believe we won't see his games, and at this rate he'll only be on Fifa11 with the All Whites as there's no CSL on there. Which is lame as because you can't buy players without a club.
My thoughts too.
Re-read Fred's article
Thinking of his family I guess re the loads of renminbi he will be getting. Wonder if Nicole has approved of this (good shops over in Jinan?).
Two things Shandong is famous for: Qingdao beer (from the Germans), Shandong women.
yen is japan
waun (nt sure on spelling ) is chinese
or renminbi
or kuai
Luis Garcia2010-07-11 22:08:58
http://tvnz.co.nz/football-news/smeltz-bound-chinese-super-league-3638477
Han Peng is a 26 year old who has played 29 times for China, scoring ten, while for the club he's scored 56 from 138 appearances.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_Peng
Li Jinyu is 33 years old has scored 26 times from 73 appearances for his country while at club level he's scored 70 times in 137 appearances.
Hopefully Shane Smeltz will be a regular starter.
"Big scorers"
"Double Champions"
"Real Madrid of China"
Good on him for taking the cash. He aint getting any younger and has a gold digging missus to support.