Sydney FC may sign Scott Chipperfield
Ex-Socceroo Scott Chipperfield may finish his glittering career with A-League glamour club Sydney FC.
The Bellambi product has been negotiating with the defending champions for the past month about joining for 2011-12.
Coach Vitezslav Lavicka and vice-chairman Scott Barlow are among the Sydney FC brass trying to woo the 68-cap veteran, who played in two World Cups.
Chipperfield, who is contracted to Swiss club FC Basel until June, will make a decision about his future early next month.
The 34-year-old declared one last season "at home" could be a fitting finale after a decade in Europe.
"They are interested, I am interested, it's definitely an option," he said yesterday.
"Signing with Sydney FC would be good for me, I could finish my career at home.
"It would be good to have one more year and have my family and friends come and see me play."
Sydney FC CEO Edwin Lugt confirmed the club's interest yesterday.
"If Scott was available at the end of the current Swiss season we would of course be interested in holding discussions with him for the 2011-12 season," Lugt said.
"Sydney FC are always interested in high profile former Socceroos."
The Mercury understands Chipperfield would not be signed as a marquee player.
Even if he signs with the Sky Blues, Chipperfield wants to finish his 10th season with Basel.
The Swiss league is in winter break, with training to resume early next month and the league campaign ending in May.
Basel are also keen to retain the dual Australian-Swiss citizen, who was their player of the year in 2009.
The two-time NSL grand final winner has long been a target of A-League clubs - he nearly signed with North Queensland Fury and fielded offers from Gold Coast United, Newcastle and Central Coast before the 2010 World Cup.
"Playing in the A-League has always been on the radar, one of the reasons I didn't come back earlier was because of the World Cup," Chipperfield said.
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