Earlier I posted the above quotes only in 2012 Winter Transfer Window since it was just a rumour. But I figured it should have it's own thread now since it has just been confirmed by the Hammarby director of sports. He revealed that they have one american player booked to arrive in November and more are likely to follow. The article doesn't really make it clear though if this guy (and those who might follow) are actual LA Galaxy reserves or just random american players.
Just an FYI, the Houston Dynamo are also partly owned by AEG so that could be another source of players.
The Hammarby director of sports said today that they are looking for players in all positions except goalkeepers and left backs. Here's a new quote from him: "We don't know the exact number but some MLS players plus a few guys from the LA Galaxy academy will come here in mid-november. We want to bring the young Galaxy-players here to assess their level while the older players are here to showcase themselves. We have taken advantage of the LA Galaxy scouting network and I have come in contact with american agents who represent players in the MLS. It might also happen that we will loan one or two players from LA Galaxy, but that remains to be seen. We have a few experienced americans on our radar, but I won't say more about that until we know for certain." The article also points out that they are mainly looking for older, more experienced players with strong character.
The above quote was also something that I posted in the "2012 Winter Transfer Window"-thread but I didn't bring it in here since I thought the source was a bit dubious. However, it has now been confirmed that an american manager could become a possibility. Here's what a Hammarby boardmember said today: "We are looking at both american and swedish managers. We have to do something radical, we were actually almost relegated from Superettan. Both them (Anschutz) and we want a strong profile as the new manager."
I don't know who we could loan them. He's a quick and dirty list of players who *may* go: Dustin McCarty Ryan Thomas Sean Alvarado Dan Keat Hector Jimenez I say they *may* go because the rest don't seem likely because of age, first team status, what have you. You never know though, and maybe it will be something completely out of the blue, like Kirovski or someone, though Kirovski is out of contract at the end of the season and he doesn't want to leave Escondido. I can imagine Keat and Jimenez being good/great players in the Swedish second tier, but the rest, I don't know. I can't imagine Hammarby is going to do a lot of damage with MLS reserves, regardless of division.
I'm fairly sure that McBean can't play abroad before he's 18. Of course, if he does acquire that Scottish passport, then he'd be able to because he'd be a EU citizen. At any rate, I think there is definitely value in keeping McBean under the tutelage of Arena at his young age. If I were Bruce, I probably wouldn't allow him to go on loan at Hammarby. Doesn't mean it's not possible, but I'm not convinced it's in either team's best interest.
Not a chance Bruce lets McBean go. It's true that he likes his vets, but I can't see Arena not giving him at least as much time as he gave Bowen.
Right but this would only be a loan until the next season starts, and I can't see first team minutes somewhere hurting him. Also, I think he already has a Scottish passport since he's a citizen of Scotland.
A Hammarby blog write today that besides the Galaxy Academy players he has gotten information that there will also be one college player and two MLS-players arriving. The last two are supposedly from Chicago Fire.
AEG doesn't own 50%. Laws requires the clubs to keep majority interest and be controlled by members. Can only sell 49%. Hammarby is a never ending story of chaos and economic problems. They needed money and AEG needed them to gain control over their arena and run/build something. Don't know the details but it's related to stadium rights somehow.
Academy players Mario Rodriguez & Matthew Tilley there for experience. Kamani Hill trial. 4:th player injured, but will travel in January.
Yeah, it appears that blog I linked to yesterday wasn't exactly spot on with his information Or maybe those other players he mentioned will come over in January, I don't know. The reception from the Hammarby fans over Kamani Hill is that they seem a bit worried about his extreme lack of playing time since, well, forever. But still I think they are willing to give pretty much anyone a chance right now.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_xXTofQuq0"]Interview: American players at Hammarby - YouTube[/ame]
Kamani Hill is one of the biggest puzzles of US soccer. He keeps getting contracts in Europe based essentially on nothing. He never plays. I think he's about to turn 26, and has played something like 20 career games. There's nothing wrong with bringing him in for a trial.........but I just don't see it.
Strange season for Hammarby. On paper the best roster, the biggest following, the biggest budget, several experienced players with feelings for the club and two "top class" strikers joining them to lead them back up, and almost ended up getting relegated. I wonder what they need.
The gossip on the youth national team board suggests he is not a US citizen right now.........but is close.
http://academy.demosphere.com/teams/27484436/27484685-27484529/31282163.html UK, But is aiming to get US when 18 so he can play for the US apparently.