Greuther Fürth Defender Ziereis Moves to Melbourne Victory on Two-Year Deal

Philipp Ziereis is departing German second-division club SpVgg Greuther Fürth after just one year to pursue a new opportunity with Melbourne Victory in Australia. The 33-year-old defender has signed a two-year contract with the Australian club.

Ziereis, who also had a significant stint with FC St. Pauli, joined Fürth last year from LASK. He made 34 appearances for the Franconian team but was recently absent from test matches. His move comes as a result of a long-standing desire to experience football in a different environment.

"Philipp approached me in the past few days because the opportunity to move to Australia arose," said Fürth's sports director, Daniel Meyer. "Even before his transfer to Fürth, this was a topic that occupied him. Therefore, when he transferred to Fürth, the club gave him a commitment that he could move if such an opportunity arose." Meyer added that the club decided not to deny him this wish after an open discussion.

Ziereis expressed his excitement about the move, stating, "The chance to see something completely different in football was very appealing last year, and now I have the opportunity to take this step to another continent."