New foreign stars to watch in the Hyundai A-League this season.
There will be plenty of interest in some star Hyundai A-League recruits in the 2018-19 season.
With all 10 clubs having strengthened their rosters over the off-season, we take a closer look at top-class new signings set to impress throughout the 14th edition of this sensational national competition.
STEVEN TAYLOR – WELLINGTON PHOENIX.
In Steven Taylor the Phoenix have recruited the services of a battle-hardened English Premier League veteran and proven winner. The 32-year-old wore the famous black and white jersey of Newcastle United between 2003 and 2016 – where he won an English Football League Championship – before recently moving to Peterborough United where he played in England’s third tier competition. There is no doubting Taylor’s ability to protect his goalkeeper and marshal his team from the back, and having conceded 55 goals last season, Wellington will benefit enormously from the presence of such an experienced campaigner in the heart of defence.
PATRICK ZIEGLER – WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS.
Former FC Kaiserslautern defender Patrick Ziegler joins head coach and fellow German Markus Babbel to add some European steel to the Wanderers squad. At 28, Ziegler has arrived in Australia still well and truly in his prime. While he has never previously played outside of Germany, his wealth of experience should make him an invaluable addition to the Wanderers’ rear-guard. Coach Babbel was once a German international defender, so we can expect to see vastly improved defensive displays from Western Sydney this season.
JUANDE - PERTH GLORY.
Spanish star Juande should add plenty of starch and skill to the Glory’s central midfield. As a former Spain under-21 international, the 32-year-old brings an ability to control the flow of the game and break down opposition attacks. Juande has played in some of Europe’s top leagues across Spain, Italy and Belgium throughout an impressive career, so the A-League appears to be gaining another outstanding foreign player.
GEORG NIEDERMEIER – MELBOURNE VICTORY.
With defensive slots opening up for the defending champions, the acquisition of Niedermeier from German club SC Freiburg is a massive coup for Victory coach Kevin Muscat. The 32-year-old defender has spent time at both Bayern Munich and Stuttgart in an outstanding career, so he certainly comes to the A-League with pedigree as well as the on-field quality to be a major success.
