Hummel is set to join Russian club

BRAVE Warriors defender, George Hummel, will become the first Namibian to play professional soccer in Russia.

Hummel has played for South African Premier Soccer League side, Moroka Swallows for the past two seasons but one week’s trials with Luch Energy in Vladivostok, Russia has earned him a year’s contract. The Moroka Swallows web site reported that Hummel, nicknamed Roadblock by his fans, was on trial when Luch Energy had their off-season camp in Turkey recently.Luch Energy gained promotion to the top flight of Russian football after winning the Eastern Zone of the Second division in Russia last October.The 27-year-old central defender explains on the Swallows web site how his move came about: ‘I was in Turkey, were I played some games for the Vladivostok club, who were touring that country.They play in the first division in Russia and I was so impressed by the way they play their football,’ said Hummel, who lists Dutch international defender Jaap Stam as his idol.Hummel will now be squaring up to his former Birds team-mate, Japhet Zwane, who plays in the same league for Rostov FC, as well as a host of other South African stars who ply their trade in the Eastern European country, such as Jacob Lekgetho, Matthew Booth, Bennet Mguni, MacBeth Sibaya, Rowen Hendricks and Tony Coyle.’I have learnt a great deal at Swallows and when I went for the trials this enabled me to feel comfortable among the players and helped me to mix with them easily even though they are ahead of us over there,’ the Swallows web site quoted him as saying.The Russians were impressed by what they saw and they offered Hummel a one year contract, which he signed on condition that they agree to terms with Moroka Swallows.”All I am waiting for is for Swallows and Vladivostok to sign my terms of movement and then I will be off to Russia,” he said.Hummel started his professional career with Cape Town’s Hellenic about three and a half years ago but moved to Gauteng two seasons ago to solidify the Swallows defence.If and when Luch Energy and Swallows agree on terms, Hummel will officially become the first known Namibian to play soccer in Russia.He will join the likes of Razundara Tjikuzu, Collin Benjamin and Oliver Risser (all German-based) as Namibia’s foreign legion based in Germany.- NampaThe Moroka Swallows web site reported that Hummel, nicknamed Roadblock by his fans, was on trial when Luch Energy had their off-season camp in Turkey recently. Luch Energy gained promotion to the top flight of Russian football after winning the Eastern Zone of the Second division in Russia last October. The 27-year-old central defender explains on the Swallows web site how his move came about: ‘I was in Turkey, were I played some games for the Vladivostok club, who were touring that country. They play in the first division in Russia and I was so impressed by the way they play their football,’ said Hummel, who lists Dutch international defender Jaap Stam as his idol. Hummel will now be squaring up to his former Birds team-mate, Japhet Zwane, who plays in the same league for Rostov FC, as well as a host of other South African stars who ply their trade in the Eastern European country, such as Jacob Lekgetho, Matthew Booth, Bennet Mguni, MacBeth Sibaya, Rowen Hendricks and Tony Coyle. ‘I have learnt a great deal at Swallows and when I went for the trials this enabled me to feel comfortable among the players and helped me to mix with them easily even though they are ahead of us over there,’ the Swallows web site quoted him as saying. The Russians were impressed by what they saw and they offered Hummel a one year contract, which he signed on condition that they agree to terms with Moroka Swallows. “All I am waiting for is for Swallows and Vladivostok to sign my terms of movement and then I will be off to Russia,” he said. Hummel started his professional career with Cape Town’s Hellenic about three and a half years ago but moved to Gauteng two seasons ago to solidify the Swallows defence. If and when Luch Energy and Swallows agree on terms, Hummel will officially become the first known Namibian to play soccer in Russia. He will join the likes of Razundara Tjikuzu, Collin Benjamin and Oliver Risser (all German-based) as Namibia’s foreign legion based in Germany. – Nampa