Melbourne Heart FC’s defensive stocks have received a massive boost after the Club confirmed the signing of Qantas Socceroo World Cup contender Michael Beauchamp.
Melbourne Heart FC-s defensive stocks have received a massive boost after the Club confirmed the signing of Qantas Socceroo World Cup contender Michael Beauchamp.
Beauchamp has signed a multi-year deal to return to the Hyundai A-League following a four-year stint in Europe, becoming the 16th player to pledge his future to John van ‘t Schip-s side.
An accomplished central defender, Beauchamp has earned 19 caps at senior international level since winning selection to the Qantas Socceroos 23-man squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
And the 29-year-old is poised to play a role in the upcoming FIFA World Cup campaign in South Africa as well after he was named in Pim Verbeek-s preliminary 31-man squad for June-s global football showcase.
Beauchamp will arrive in camp with the Qantas Socceroos tomorrow as he presses his claim for a place in the final squad which will be announced on June 1.
Van ‘t Schip believes Beauchamp-s signing will help ensure the Heart boasts a solid defensive core, providing the necessary rearguard stability to implement the Club-s attacking philosophy.
“Michael has accumulated experience in some of the top competitions in Europe and Asia, and is one of the few Australians to have ever taken part in the UEFA Champions League,” he said.
“He is an excellent athlete, has great distribution skills and is a natural leader. I am confident Michael will be able to provide stability and play an important role as part of the back four.”
Spending stints at FC Nurnberg in the Bundesliga and Aalborg BK in Denmark-s SAS League, Beauchamp has carved a distinguished career overseas, featuring in the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League, while helping his German side to the 2007 DFB Pokal Cup.
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