Hear that Mr. Galekovic? That's the sound of inevitability

stuckey · **Posted:** Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:01 am

Adelaide United, Socceroos goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic looking to Europe

Quote:

Adelaide United and Socceroo goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic confirmed a move to Europe before the end of the month may be inevitable.

Galekovic - contracted to Adelaide until 2013 - said his agent was on the hunt for clubs in Russia, Greece and Turkey. The A-League's most impressive shot-stopper's net worth has skyrocketed to $1.5 million on the European transfer market after his World Cup berth.

Galekovic's transfer would most lieklly occur before then end of the month, when most of the UEFA's football leagues close transfer windows close.

Galekovic will be only a spectator when Adelaide play their second friendly of the season without new manager Rini Coolen.

The Dutchman's flight from Dusseldorf was cancelled on Thursday morning, forcing him 24 hours behind schedule.

Galekovic will be an interested spectator when Adelaide faces Wellington Phoenix in a friendly at Hindmarsh Stadium, after minor knee surgery put his pre-season on hold.

However it's highly unlikely that Adelaide or its interim custodian, Football Federation Australia, would fetch $1.5 million, with Galekovic believed to have nominated a modest price tag as part of the four-year extension deal last year. Galekovic believes a European move would enhance his chances of winning a Socceroos' berth at next year's AFC Asian Cup and to keep him in contention for the 2014 World Cup.

"I don't know how much interest there is in Europe at the moment," said the A-League's back-to-back recipient of the Goalkeeper of the Year.

"I definitely want to head over and I want to push as hard as I can.

"The move overseas could help me get to the next World Cup."

However, Galekovic said a permanent national team position was still possible, even if he failed to earn a European contract this year.

"I've got to perform now at club level and if I do that, I've got every chance of going to the Asian Cup," he said. "I had a bit of a (knee) cleanout after the World Cup and next week I'll get back into full training.

"From Monday, I should be right and hopefully I'll play the next friendly match against Perth Glory."

Galekovic's No. 2, Mark Birighitti, is set to be in goals against Phoenix.

It was always going to happen i just hope both he and Adelaide United are happy with it all. We get a good fee he goes to a good club. I'm guessing he's going to Gala it seems every Aussie is linked with that club at the moment!

Ray · **Posted:** Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:27 am

I will be gutted when he goes but he is quality and I'm amazed we've managed to hang on to him for so long.

I won't begrudge him because he did the right thing by the club signing a long term deal meaning that anyone who wanted him will have to pony up some serious cash to get him.

All class that man!

blahblah · **Posted:** Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:32 am

"may be inevitable"? :roll:

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets picked up as the guy is quality as has been a great servant for AUFC

ShinAUFC · **Posted:** Fri Jul 16, 2010 10:30 am

would be nice for him to get a proper send off from the home crowd but cant see it working out like that.

As long as we get a good fee from him and put it to good use ( mmmm the FFA will probably take it and spend it on the fury grr)

I think in a few years we will all look back on the past few years as the time we got to watch a talent grow before making it over seas

stuckey · **Posted:** Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:02 pm

So with this new guy Takumi Takahashi trailing with us as a Goalkeeper does this mean Euge is leaving? I've never heard of this guy but if he's trailing he must already be better then Birra?

jumpingjimmy · **Joined:** Fri Jan 22, 2010 1:25 am **Posts:** 91

Its not going to happen Rini Coolen was interviewed recently and he indicated there had been no contact or interest from anyone. Whoever Galekovic's manager is has been feeding the media a lot of crap to try and drum up interest for a long time, the funniest one was Portsmouth considering they went broke a month later.

NashPB · **Posted:** Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:38 pm

I'll be upset if he doesn't go. He has so much potentual that he could reach if given a chance OS... Don't suppose Theo's experience is making ppl doubt our league's keepers do ya? Lol.

Agostinho · **Posted:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:23 am

All talk of Galekovic heading overseas seems to have gone quiet? As much as I'd love him to stay, if he's going to go - Vukovic is now available.

lufcmike · **Posted:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:53 am

Birighetti would be a more than ample replacement for Eugene if he left. He looked good in the trial games, good positioning, has the Inspector Gadget arms on the go and surprisingly in an AUFC side can kick with both feet!!! (not at the same time, although it could be worth a try)

Whats the old saying: "A goalkeeper is just a guy who hangs around with footballers"
Oops, says a lot for our team when the goalie has been our best player for the last 2 seasons

stuckey · **Posted:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:28 pm

Well consider the average age of a goalkeeper in the EPL or BPL as its now refered to, is about 38 i don't think he's too worried about now gettting picked up in the next couple of seasons.

But i do agree Birra would be an ample replacement. I also notice that Japanese student is still training with them.

NashPB · **Posted:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 2:58 pm

i heard that all this talk was inspired by Eugene's management trying to entice interest, rather than it really existing. tryna get club's in the race, when in truth, there was no race for him to begin with. kinda saddens me (especially as i thought the WC would give him more of a name), but i still hold hope for him & his possible career OS. according to Eug himself, as relevant as the week b4 round 1, no one was offering him any deals.

ShinAUFC · **Posted:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 4:59 pm

I think not holding an EU passport is what has really hurt him here,

some of his performances at AU have truly been world class, id love to see him at the club for the rest of his career, but id also like to see him give it a go overseas, he has given this club more then enough service.

If he does go i dont think i could handle vukovic in goals, AU seem to be a little immune to the A-league merry-go-round id like to keep it that way and have birra in goals, someone who has come up through the ranks of the club . otherwise what is the point of youth league?

Adelaide Reds | Forum and Community | For the fans, by the fans

Hear that Mr. Galekovic? That's the sound of inevitability

Who is online