Dutch playmaker Roland Alberg on trial with Adelaide United after nearly 200 top-flight games in Europe and the US
A Dutch attacking midfielder, who has faced the likes of Steven Gerrard, Andrea Pirlo and Kaka during nearly 200 top-flight games in Europe and the US, is on trial with Adelaide United.
A FORMER Dutch youth international, who has played against the likes of Steven Gerrard, Andrea Pirlo and Kaka, is on trial at Adelaide United.
Roland Alberg on Friday began an open-ended training period with the Reds under new coach and countryman Gertjan Verbeek, as he bid to secure a permanent move.
The playmaker had racked up nearly 200 top-flight games in his native Netherlands, as well as Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece and the US, throughout his nine-year professional career.
Alberg was a youth player at AZ Alkmaar during Verbeek’s stint as manager of the Dutch Eredivisie side from 2010-13.
The 28-year-old, who had also previously lined up in central midfield and on the left wing, was a free agent after leaving Greek Super League club Panionios in January.
He faced a glut of global superstars during his two seasons in Major League Soccer with Philadelphia Union, where he bagged 19 goals in 58 appearances.
Alberg scored in a 3-2 loss to a New York City team including Italian maestro Pirlo, English great Frank Lampard and Spain’s record scorer David Villa at Yankee Stadium in 2016.
A year later he helped Union to a 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy, then featuring Liverpool legend Gerrard, as well as Ashley Cole (ex-Arsenal, Chelsea) and Robbie Keane (Tottenham).
Alberg, best remembered in Philadelphia for a hat-trick against Chicago Fire, also took on Ivory Coast hitman Didier Drogba and Brazil’s Ballon d’Or winner Kaka while Stateside.
He made his first-team debut for Excelsior in 2011 and went on to play 105 matches in Holland’s top-tier, notching 22 goals and 15 assists.
The 180cm creative talent later spent three years at two-time Dutch champion ADO Den Haag, captaining the club on 29 occasions.
Gini Wijnaldum (Liverpool), Dries Merterns (Napoli), and Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen (all Spurs) were among the top names he encountered.
Alberg was a teammate of former Brisbane Roar midfielder Thomas Kristensen at ADO and met Melbourne Victory’s Ola Toivonen during the Swedish striker’s time at PSV Eindhoven.
The Netherlands under-18 and under-20 representative had also spent time with Elazigspor (Turkey) and CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria).
Adelaide made its maiden off-season signing this week.
SA-born Socceroos squad member Riley McGree became the first player United had bought from overseas when returned to the Reds from Belgian outfit Club Brugge.
Director of football Bruce Djite said Adelaide was in the market for further reinforcements, given six players had departed since January.
“We do have our eye on a few prospective targets,” Djite said.
“We’ve got three foreign spots still available and we’ll be looking to fill at least two of those, if not all of those.
“If you’re looking at foreigners, it’s still very early in the window if you’re looking to Europe.
“There’s still a lot of time for things to happen. But we’re looking.”