From Sky Sports UK website

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!"

i could see him going somewhere like newly promoted st pauli maybe

He wasn't anything to brag about for New Zealand...

Agreed. 1 goal that was offside. It should be his performances in the A-League that will get him a move. Nurnburg need some goals....

They don't need Smeltz, they have Vidosic. ;)


Edited by proud2becanberran: 27/6/2010 03:04:57 PM

Fulham now linked according to TV3 News in NZ

why are teams looking to sign NZ strikers... they should be looking at NZ's defence

Talked to Wynton Rufer last week and asked him who his pick of the All Whites was - he said Smeltz without hesitation - reckons the best touch and control of any AW player and that he hadn't given the ball away at the WC

Pity his brain isn't as much chop.

The managerless Fulham interested in Smeltz? haha

I could see Smeltz moving to a mid tier Euro league, but anything higher than that isn't going to happen.


Edited by cool_cat2007: 26/7/2010 08:25:56 PM