The Western Sydney Wanderers have signed former Germany youth international Jerome Polenz on a one-year deal.
The versatile 25-year-old – capable of playing in defence and midfield – spent six seasons in the academy of Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen earlier in his career, and joins the A-League’s newest club after his release from hometown club Union Berlin at the end of the 2011/12 2. Bundesliga season.
A former Under-19 and Under-20 Germany international, Polenz arrived in Australia on Saturday and has been training with his new side prior to becoming coach Tony Popovic’s 16th signing.
“I’m happy to be here and happy to be a Wanderer,” Polenz said.
“It is a big challenge for me, I need to look at what is happening around training and I’m very excited about the upcoming season.
“The football is different in Germany, I will have to adapt to the Australian way but am looking forward to taking on the challenge.”
Of Algerian descent, Polenz also represented Alemannia Aachen from 2007 to 2010, having made three Bundesliga appearances for Werder in the previous campaign.
