Dutch defender Bas van den Brink says his decision to join Perth Glory was an easy one.
Dutch defender Bas van den Brink says his decision to join Perth Glory was an easy one.
Meeting his new team mates today, Van den Brink also faced the media and explained why he chose to continue his career in the West.
“The team for this season looks really good, with some good signings,” Van den Brink said.
“The club was very straight forward with what they wanted from me, and made me feel good from the first contact.”
Having spent the last two seasons with Gold Coast, van den Brink has seen the quality of Shane Smeltz from close quarters, and the classy defender is also impressed with the recruitment of other A-League stars.
“Shane Smeltz is good, Travis Dodd, Dean Heffernan, all those names are really great for the team, so it also made it a lot easier for me to come.
“You play football to achieve things and to win prizes, so that is why I am coming here (Perth Glory) and why everyone plays football in general,” he added.
While van den Brink looks in great shape, he won-t be rushed into the squad for this Saturday-s first friendly game down in Bunbury.
Instead, the new recruit will be worked into the teams pre-season program.
“He-ll feel fit within himself but he won-t be up to that standard we are looking for at the moment so we-ll make sure we get a few tests under his belt and the more football we get under him the better,” Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson said.
With Chris Coyne returning from an Achilles injury, the fitness of Van den Brink is crucial to the squad.
“He is massively important for me,” Ferguson added.
“I only have two centre halves at the club at the moment, and one is recovering from injury so Bas is a massive part of what I wanted to bring in.”
Perth Glory will also play Football West Premier League leaders Balcatta and the WA State team in the lead up to the blockbuster against Celtic on July 9.
The match against the Scottish FA Cup winners at nib Stadium is only 16 days away.
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