Adelaide United have added a Socceroo to their ranks ahead of their title defence with the club today announcing the signing of midfielder James Holland on a two-year deal.
Holland, who recently parted ways with German club MSV Duisburg after it was relegated to 3. Liga (Germany’s third division), joins the Reds after an eight-year stint in Europe and is contracted to remain in Adelaide until the end of the 2017/18 season.
The Socceroo, who has made 15 appearances to-date for the Australian national team and was part of the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad alongside new teammate, Eugene Galekovic, made his professional debut for fellow Hyundai A-League club, Newcastle Jets, in 2007 before being integral in the Jets’ 2008 Championship-winning squad.
In 2009, Holland signed for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie, before being loaned out to Sparta Rotterdam, then in the Eerste Divisie (Netherlands’ second division).
Holland later joined Austrian Football Bundesliga side, Austria Wien, in 2012 where he made a total of 105 appearances for the club, helping them become Champions of the domestic competition in 2012/13 until signing for MSV Duisburg last year.
After officially signing with the club, Holland said he was very happy to have joined the Hyundai A-League’s reigning Champions and is looking forward to the start of the club’s title defence.
“It feels really good to have signed with Adelaide United,” Holland said. “It’s been a little bit of a long break since last season for me, but it’s great to finally put pen to paper with the reigning Champions of the A-League.
“It feels just like yesterday that I was flying to Europe to begin my journey over there, so it’s a little strange to be back in Australia to play my football.
“But, like I’ve said, I’m very happy to be in Adelaide after watching the league last year because United’s success was very hard to miss after the run the team went on.
“Now that I’m part of this team, I’m here to win, and I want to be successful at the club.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about Adelaide and there are a number of things that make it an attractive place to play football.
“I’m really looking forward to playing at Coopers again because it’s a fantastic stadium and I can’t wait for the season to get going.”
His new Head Coach, Guillermo Amor, spoke highly of the Australian midfielder, saying Holland’s European experience will undoubtedly benefit the Reds in the 2016/17 season.
“We are so happy to have been able to sign James and to bring him back to Australia,” Amor said. “He has spent many years overseas and moved his football there when he was very young.
“Now James is 27 and is at a strong age and he has a lot of experience in football that he can bring to our team and help educate our players.
“He has played for the Socceroos and for big teams in Europe too, and I’m sure he will be a big player for us this season.”
