The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers FC today confirmed the signing of two more foreign imports, with Italian Iacopo La Rocca and Dutchman Youssouf Hersi agreeing to terms with the club for season 2012/13.
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers FC today confirmed the signing of two more foreign imports, with Italian Iacopo La Rocca and Dutchman Youssouf Hersi agreeing to terms with the club for season 2012/13.
La Rocca arrived in the country a fortnight ago on a trial with the Wanderers and has impressed Coach Tony Popovic enough to earn a contract with Australia-s ‘newest, oldest club-.
The 28-year-old will add to an already strong defensive structure and brings with him a large amount of experience from playing in both Italy and Switzerland.
Before his arrival in Australia, La Rocca spent his professional career playing seven seasons in the Italian leagues across five clubs and the past five seasons in Switzerland across two clubs.
Hersi also arrived in Australia a fortnight ago and adds a wealth of experience to the Wanderers squad.
The 30-year-old has represented the Dutch Under 21 side and played 12 years professionally, 10 years in his homeland of the Netherlands as well as one year in Greece and one in Cyprus.
The diminutive midfielder is a busy player who loves being heavily involved in all areas on the pitch.
Coach Tony Popovic is delighted to have both experienced men as part of the Wanderers squad.
“I-m excited about what these guys will bring to our squad,” Popovic said. “They are both experienced players who have spent a number of years in different parts of the world so they will definitely bring a different style to our team but will definitely fit in with what we are wanting to achieve.
“Iacopo will add to our defensive area of the pitch and will relish the opportunity to work with guys like Michael (Beauchamp) and Nikolai (Topor-Stanley) whilst Youssouf will add a lot of speed and skill to our midfield which will benefit our squad.”
Iacopo La Rocca
Born: 17-Feb-84, Rome, Italy
Nationality: Italian
Height: 188cm / Weight: 77kg
Main position: Defender
Senior career: 2001-2004 Pro Vercelli (Italy), 2004 Treviso (Italy), 2005 Chieti (Italy), 2005-2006 Fermana Calcio (Italy), 2006-2007 Sassari Torres (Italy), 2007-2011 Bellinzona (Switzerland), 2011-2012 Grasshoppers Zurich (Switzerland)
Youssouf Hersi
Born: 20-Aug-82, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Nationality: Dutch
Height: 180cm / Weight: 74kg
Main position: Midfielder
Junior club: Ajax (Netherlands)
Senior career: 2000-2001 Ajax (Netherlands), 2001-2002 NAC Breda (Netherlands), 2002-2004 NEC Nijmegen (Netherlands), 2004 Heerenveen (Netherlands), 2005-2007 Vitesse Arnhem (Netherlands), 2007-2009 FC Twente (Netherlands), 2009-2010 AEK Athens (Greece), 2010-2011 De Graafschap (Netherlands), 2012 Alki Larnaca (Cyprus)
Representative honours: Netherlands Under-21
