New Jets signing Morten Nordstrand says it will take him a couple of weeks before he’s fully fit but Newcastle coach Scott Miller hinted the player could potentially stay beyond this season.
After a long flight from a sub-zero Danish winter, Nordstrand arrived the night before Australia Day, and was greeted by a scorching summer’s day for his first training session in Newcastle on Friday morning.
But the 32-year-old Dane, who has signed a contract for the rest of the season within the Jets salary cap and not as a marquee, took it all in his stride as he looked to kick-off a new adventure in the Hyundai A-League.
And he estimated he’d need only a couple of weeks to get up to match fitness after not playing for much of the last month.
“In training today I can see it’s a physical kind of game [in the A-League]. That’s good for me.
“There’s a lot of running … but I don’t know much about the league. I’ll get to know it,” Nordstrand told reporters on Friday.
“It was a good session and it was good to meet the guys. It was a good level. I hope I can bring something to the team.”
A-League transfer: Jets land Danish international
12 stats on Jets’ new signing Morten Nordstrand
Jets coach Scott Miller said his contacts in Scandinavia gave Nordstrand, signed from Aarhus, a glowing reference.
And if you go on YouTube a couple of outrageous bicycle kick goals in the Danish league are eye-catching to say the least.
But Miller stressed the Dane’s “discipline, work ethic and commitment to football” were what interested him in signing the former FC Copenhagen player.
And he didn’t rule out a longer stint in the Hunter for the Danish international.
“It’s sensible for both parties at this point [to sign a deal till the end of the season] irrespective of whether Morton’s the man for the future it’s a sensible business decision,” said Miller.
“To make massive financial commitments now would be inappropriate so that’s why I appreciate his effort now coming out short-term to prove himself.
“And if all goes well, we might see Morten here longer.”
Nordstrand’s paperwork has not come through so he won’t fly to Adelaide for Sunday’s game against the Reds but he’s expected to face Melbourne City next week at Hunter Stadium.
Miller added Scandinavian players fit the profile of hard-working though admitted where Nordstrand would play is still to be decided.
“You know a footballer the minute you see one. And the fact he’s got a first touch is nice to see… I’m excited to see [that],” said Miller.
“On the back of jet lag today [you can see] he’s a good player.”
The Jets CEO David Eland added there would be no other players signed or released by the club in the remainder of the transfer window.
