The 'where are they now?' files

[kev776]

Shaggy, please change your signature, every time I see it, it makes me chuckle. I then don't read the post properly, just think about the commentary.

[Fernandinho]

Not sure if you heard but Soto has come to Sydney to play for what is essentially a Conference team, hoping to impress in the league in order to get an A-League contract! Such a strange sequence of events for him.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/greek-star-sotirios-kyrgiakos-hopes-to-attract-aleague-attention-with-sydney-olympic-stint-20140302-33u9e.html

Greek star Sotirios Kyrgiakos hopes to attract A-League attention with Sydney Olympic stint

Former Greek international Sotirios Kyrgiakos has agreed to a two-game guest stint with NSW Premier League side Sydney Olympic.

The 34-year old will make his debut for the ex-NSL champions against Blacktown Spartans on March 23 and is hoping to catch the eye of A-League clubs for next season.

Kyrgiakos has enjoyed a 15-year professional career with clubs such as Liverpool, Sunderland, Rangers, AEK Athens, Panathinaikos, Eintracht Frankfurt, and most recently, Wolfsburg.

While he missed Greece's Euro 2004 triumph with a knee injury, he played at Euro 2008 and in the 2010 World Cup, accumulating 61 international caps.

Kyrgiakos said he first thought about moving to Australia when he was part of the Greek squad that played at the MCG in 2006.

"When I met Sydney Olympic technical director Arthur Diles in Athens, I was instantly excited by the opportunity to visit a country I briefly visited in 2006 when Greece played Australia in Melbourne," he said.

"I'll never forget nearly 100,000 people at the stadium that night. Greeks in foreign countries have achieved so much and I am aware of the great progress football is making in Australia, attracting star players like [Alessandro] Del Piero, [William] Gallas and [Emile] Heskey."

Kyrgiakos says he still believes he has what it takes to earn a professional contract in the A-League.

"I am in very good physical condition and I am very focused on playing well for Sydney Olympic. But I want to play for another couple of years and the A-League appeals to me," he said.

"I have had offers over the past six months from Europe but I want my last contract to be about a new experience, an exciting league and the A-League offers that."

[Daffy Duck]

Antonio Barragan scored for Valencia in the 5h minute and got booked later. They're 3-0 up against Ludogorets in the Europa League.

[Shaggy]

Albert Riera has signed for Udinese (from Galatasaray) from next season onwards.

[baitman]

Melbourne Heart captain Harry Kewell is set to announce his retirement from professional football when he fronts the media at 2pm Wednesday.
The 35-year-old has enjoyed a stellar career with stints in Leeds, Liverpool and Galatasaray his highlights.
He played 58 times for the Socceroos and scored 17 goals including the equaliser against Croatia in the 2006 World Cup that famously sealed Australia's passage to the second round.


Opinions are always divided on Kewell, but he was voted Australia's best ever player in 2012.

http://www.sportal.com.au/football/a-league/harry-kewell-set-to-retire/1jkabbf3zh0531xg70ez4a5i8x?http://

[Fosterbloke]

He was brilliant for Leeds then went downhill from there.

[Shaggy]

He was brilliant for Leeds, he was a brilliant footballer but injuries did for him which is not his fault. He gets some fearsome stick, especially on Twitter, and though he seems to take it well I feel a bit sorry for him. I will always remember being on the beach in Nice and finding out we'd signed him. I was insanely excited. Good luck to him in his retirement.

[kubrickscube]

According to the BBC Gossip thing, formerly dodgy but now apparently decent defender Gabriel Paletta is now Juve's top summer target. Still has ladies hair though.

[Rich]

He was brilliant for Leeds, he was a brilliant footballer but injuries did for him which is not his fault. He gets some fearsome stick, especially on Twitter, and though he seems to take it well I feel a bit sorry for him. I will always remember being on the beach in Nice and finding out we'd signed him. I was insanely excited. Good luck to him in his retirement.

He was a bit of a highlights player at Leeds, prone to disappear for large periods of games before popping up with a winner or goal. He actually started his LFC career like a man on life - he looked the real deal. Sadly, Houllier's team fell apart and then the injuries struck. Still he married an actress so he wins.

[PTP]

i/m amazed kewell is still playing giving his injuries.

[Cormack74]

He was a bit of a highlights player at Leeds, prone to disappear for large periods of games before popping up with a winner or goal. He actually started his LFC career like a man on life - he looked the real deal. Sadly, Houllier's team fell apart and then the injuries struck. Still he married an actress so he wins.

my Leeds supporting mate warned me about that before he joined but I refused to believe him

[Shaggy]

WTF?

Albert Riera has signed for Watford until the end of the season.

http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/140326-lloyd-doyley-new-contract-1447234.aspx

ALBERT RIERA has joined the Hornets on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

The left-sided player, who can operate in both defence and midfield, has a wealth of experience having played in a number of top Leagues around Europe, including the Premier League.

This transfer is subject to the Hornets receiving international clearance for the player.

Read more at http://www.watfordfc.com/news/articl...1FmR73IMvTL.99

[Tee]

I am sure Udinese and Watford have some kind of partnership, so that would explain it? Still is a WTF move though.

[Gibbo]

Riera

[Gibbo]

I did not know Daniel Ayala was at Boro