Auburn Mariner
Well-Known Member
Defender Michael Beauchamp has called time on his European career in a bid to salvage his place on the plane to South Africa with Pim Verbeek's World Cup-bound Socceroos.
Beauchamp has joined Al-Jazira in the United Arab Emirates just over 12 months since moving to Danish side AaB from German outfit Nuremberg.
Al-Jazira, last season's runners-up in the UAE Premier Division, confirmed Beauchamp had agreed personal terms and completed a medical and could be available for the opening round of the new season this Friday.
"The sale was the ideal solution for both AaB and Michael Beauchamp, who we wish every success in his future career," said AaB's sporting director Lynge Jakobsen.
Beauchamp had fallen out of favour under head coach Magnus Pehrsson after a torrid first season in the Danish Superliga and had been expected to move during the August transfer window.
He becomes the latest Socceroo to leave Europe in search of greater game time.
International teammates Jason Culina, Mile Sterjovski, Chris Coyne, Jacob Burns, Shane Stefanutto and Adrian Leijer have all returned to the A-League this season in an attempt to cement World Cup berths.
However, with Al-Jazira having qualified for the 2010 AFC Champions League by finishing second behind champions Al-Ahli last season, Beauchamp will enjoy a run of matches right up until the start of the World Cup finals in June.
Beauchamp remains a favourite of Verbeek despite struggling to make an impact at the top level in Europe since leaving A-League side the Central Coast Mariners three years ago.
Beauchamp and former teammate Dean Heffernan's displays for the inaugural A-League premiers caught the eye of European scouts and the pair joined Nuremberg on loan ahead of the 2006/07 domestic season.
Beauchamp, a member of Guus Hiddink's 2006 World Cup squad, was then signed permanently by the German club, but his influence waned and he spent the final six months of his time there on the fringes of the first team.
His summer switch to Danish champions Aalborg in 2008 came as a surprise, but his Superliga career stalled almost immediately.
Beauchamp spent three months sidelined with a hamstring strain and then saw Bruce Rioch, the manager who had brought him to Denmark, sacked.
The centre-half finished the season with a knee injury, missing Australia's June international fixtures.
But with two seasons remaining on his Aalborg deal, he had last month insisted that he was prepared to battle for his future at the club.
Beauchamp returned to Verbeek's squad for the 3-1 defeat to South Korea a fortnight ago.
Beauchamp has joined Al-Jazira in the United Arab Emirates just over 12 months since moving to Danish side AaB from German outfit Nuremberg.
Al-Jazira, last season's runners-up in the UAE Premier Division, confirmed Beauchamp had agreed personal terms and completed a medical and could be available for the opening round of the new season this Friday.
"The sale was the ideal solution for both AaB and Michael Beauchamp, who we wish every success in his future career," said AaB's sporting director Lynge Jakobsen.
Beauchamp had fallen out of favour under head coach Magnus Pehrsson after a torrid first season in the Danish Superliga and had been expected to move during the August transfer window.
He becomes the latest Socceroo to leave Europe in search of greater game time.
International teammates Jason Culina, Mile Sterjovski, Chris Coyne, Jacob Burns, Shane Stefanutto and Adrian Leijer have all returned to the A-League this season in an attempt to cement World Cup berths.
However, with Al-Jazira having qualified for the 2010 AFC Champions League by finishing second behind champions Al-Ahli last season, Beauchamp will enjoy a run of matches right up until the start of the World Cup finals in June.
Beauchamp remains a favourite of Verbeek despite struggling to make an impact at the top level in Europe since leaving A-League side the Central Coast Mariners three years ago.
Beauchamp and former teammate Dean Heffernan's displays for the inaugural A-League premiers caught the eye of European scouts and the pair joined Nuremberg on loan ahead of the 2006/07 domestic season.
Beauchamp, a member of Guus Hiddink's 2006 World Cup squad, was then signed permanently by the German club, but his influence waned and he spent the final six months of his time there on the fringes of the first team.
His summer switch to Danish champions Aalborg in 2008 came as a surprise, but his Superliga career stalled almost immediately.
Beauchamp spent three months sidelined with a hamstring strain and then saw Bruce Rioch, the manager who had brought him to Denmark, sacked.
The centre-half finished the season with a knee injury, missing Australia's June international fixtures.
But with two seasons remaining on his Aalborg deal, he had last month insisted that he was prepared to battle for his future at the club.
Beauchamp returned to Verbeek's squad for the 3-1 defeat to South Korea a fortnight ago.
