Two-time Hyundai A-League Champions Sydney FC has significantly bolstered its central defence after signing 22-game Socceroo Michael Beauchamp in a deal that can see him at the club for the next three Hyundai A-League seasons.
Two-time Hyundai A-League Champions Sydney FC has significantly bolstered its central defence after signing 22-game Socceroo Michael Beauchamp in a deal that can see him at the club for the next three Hyundai A-League seasons.
Beauchamp, who has attended the last two FIFA World Cups with the Socceroos, will become a key figure in the Sky Blues’ back four beginning with the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League campaign.
After mutually agreeing on a release with the Melbourne Heart, Beauchamp yesterday passed a medical in Sydney and the former FC Nuremberg player will begin his Sydney FC career in mid June when preseason training commences.
With Socceroos aspirations high on his agenda, Beauchamp-s deal provides options for him to move overseas at the end of each A-League season if he feels this will enhance his selection into the national team.
“We welcome Michael to Sydney FC and back to his home town of Sydney,” Sydney FC Vice-Chairman Scott Barlow said. “We are delighted to have a player of Michael-s calibre and experience join us. He is yet another key addition to the squad we are building for next season. His signing follows on from those of Juho Makela and Karol Kisel, with other important signings to be announced in the near future.
Beauchamp, a Sydney junior who played for the Marconi Stallions, Parramatta Power and Sydney Olympic, said he was excited to be joining a club such as Sydney FC.
“It is not every day that you get to play for a club such as Sydney FC so I am very happy and really excited about the prospect of joining the club,” Beauchamp said.
“I still have my sights set on furthering my Socceroos career, but my immediate priority is to play well for my new club and help with the club-s goal to bring about another championship. The ideal situation would be to remain at Sydney FC long term and regain selection into the Socceroos squad.”
“The club has a lot of excellent players and a very professional set up, so I am looking forward to being part of a strong team. I have only heard good things about head coach Vitezslav Lavicka, so can-t wait to work under him.
“I am a Sydney boy as well and played a lot of my football here, so being back home is a bit of a thrill for me too.”
Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka said he was delighted to have secured a player such as Beauchamp.
“We all know he is a good player. He has a lot of international experience. He-s been to two World Cups with the Socceroos and is a big, tall, strong defender. I am very happy about Michael joining us at Sydney FC,” Lavicka said.
“He has experience in Europe at some big clubs so he will be very valuable to us. He is an excellent character and I expect him to, and I know he will, provide us with good play and of course good leadership at the back.
“I am happy about this. As a club we are very happy to have him come here. I expect our fans will be too.”
Michael Beauchamp
DOB: 8 March 1981
Height: 191cm
Playing career:
Marconi Stallions: 2000-2002 (26 appearances)
Parramatta Power: 2002-2004 (57)
Sydney Olympic: 2005 (3)
Central Coast Mariners: 2005-2007 (22)
FC Nuremberg: 2006-2008 (30)
Aalborg: 2008-2009 (12)
Al-Jazira: 2009-2010 (13)
Melbourne Heart: (23)
Socceroos career:
22 appearances
2006 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
