http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=14724 It appears he signed a one year deal (through January 1, 2007). There's not anymore information on that article. *disclaimer: I know German, but I'm not 100% confident that what it says means that the deal only goes through 1/1/07. Maybe someone can confirm that? Also being reported by Soccer America. * thread title changed thanks to a correct translation from Fraulein.
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg Agreed. And how the heck is he signing as he's only 17 and turns 18 next November..........
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg i'm out of the loop, but he would be able to if he has a euro passport... which, i thought he did
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg The story sounds somewhat like Casey's: Prolific youth scorer goes to int'l tourney, and although doesn't get 10s all around- shows glimpses of the stuff German pro coaches seem to like (read: big body, can hold ball, play power soccer, but skillful enough still). Like Casey, there is going to be a significant lag before he goes over. Like Casey, a pretty big, pretty storied side signing him. What nice/better: Zimmerman's got a few years on Casey- does that mean he has more upside. What I like even more: Feilhaber, a completely different player from those 2, also gets signed and is apparently doing very well. Good times, my friends, real good times.....almost makes one forget about the crotch grab and "I miss my dog"...
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg Nothing about it in the articel but maybe he will stay in Hamburg's football-school or he'll do what he did over the last year until he comes over?
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg With a name like Fräulein96 I'm going to trust you on that one. Although I think Fräulein69 would be a better name.
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg Get your mind out of the gutter!!!! And don't look that way at my avatar!
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg So is he going to play a season at Duke? Train with a MLS team? Stay at Bradenton? Play U-19 Club ball somewhere and play ODP? Train and live with his own money at Hamburg and be reimbursed when he signs?
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg There's no need for Euro passports in Germany, starting July, 1, 2,006. The 36 Bundesliga clubs have agreed to eliminate virtually all barriers to the employment of non-EU players. Preston is waiting because he is a November baby and isn't turning 18 until late 2,006. Once he's 18, he can sign a legal contract with HSV.
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg seems like the best idea would be to go ahead and get acclimated to the German culture and lifestyle so we don't have Landon version 2.0.
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg i'd take Landon version 2.0 in a heartbeat . . . the hate gets old at some point.
OK, can someone please spell out the specifics of how this is gonna work? We all know he can't actually sign over there till he's 18 and that's in November. Or, has Hamburg found the elusive loophole? If not, what has he signed? How is this binding? Has Hamburg actually given the kid cash? Is it a gentleman's agreement to sign him to specific terms as soon as he's able? If so, what's he gonna do in the interim? He can't play college ball since he has an agent and the NCAA sure as hell wouldn't look too kindly on a future agreement like this.
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg If so, he's just setting himself up for a transfer to the Mexican league.
There's really no other info out right now. I will be watching the German papers and HSV's website in the next couple days, maybe they will give a little more info.
Kinda sounds like the Germans have adopted the NCAA verbal commitment before national letter signing day......
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg Well what he probably ought to do is to start finding himself a PDL team right now. Maybe one near an MLS team so he can be a guest player from time to time for the MLS reserves. I don't think sitting around not playing much would help. Or he could stay at Bradenton and train with the U17s until then, if they let him.
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg Wisdom finally strikes in Europe! This is great news for the lesser clubs, and long term very good news for the German players.
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg there is for him to play before the age of 18 he can't play before 18 in a country not of his origin... but he can if he has a euro passport (anywhere those work)... that's a fifa rule
Re: Zimmerman signs with Hamburg Fair enough. I apologize if I read too much into -- I think that would be a realistic concern, certainly. Then again, I doubt Preston will sign a 8-10 year contract a la Landon.