The ex-defender will be joined Down Under by five Holland compatriots.
Former Central Coast Mariners defender Patrick Zwaanswijk says he is excited by the influx of Dutch players to the A-League this summer.
The 38-year-old, now a youth coach at the Bluetongue Stadium, chose to see out his final years of his career Down Under when he moved to the Mariners from NAC Breda in 2010 and it proved to be a clever decision as he retired a Grand Final winner in 2012/13.
With compatriots Marcel Seip (Central Coast Mariners), Rob Wielaert and Orlando Engelaar (Melbourne Heart), Kew Jaliens (Newcastle Jets) and Pascal Bosschaart (Sydney FC) all set to compete in Australia’s elite division next season, Zwaanswijk admits he is thrilled that so many Dutch players are following in his footsteps.
“It has been great that a host of Dutchman have come out here to play in the A-League and to be acknowledged as having played a role in that is great,” he told Football Australia.
“It is nice to know that Dutch footballers and the way we play is respected around the world.”
Zwaanswijk is well aware of what defensive trio Seip, Jaliens and Wielaert have to offer to their respective clubs and believe they will all make their presence felt in the A-League during 2013/14.
“I played against most of the Dutch defenders that have made their way to Australia and they all have their own story and their own style of play.” he added.
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