Gerhardt signs two year deal with Melbourne Heart




Liberian International Patrick Nyema Gerhardt will be announced next week as Melbourne Heart‘s first pre-season signing, with his manager Mirsad Keric confirming a 2 year deal had been tabled and accepted.

Swiss born Gerhardt comes to Melbourne after a successful seasons with Bosnian outfit FK Zeljeznicar Sarajevo, where he completed a domestic double, winning both the Premier League and National cup titles.

The 26-year-old defensive midfielder, a product of the BSC Young Boys youth system, was a mainstay in the FK Zeljeznicar midfield and one of its best players after making the transition from the defensive line.

Gerhardt played in all of ‘the Blues’ UEFA Europa League games, before helping the club clinch a place in next seasons Champions League campaign, through it’s domestic success.

The move to Heart was confirmed by Keric yesterday, in front of local media: ”Yes, Nyema has signed on for two years at Melbourne Heart. We are very pleased with the conditions.”

“I just want to add that Nyema is very grateful for his time at FK Zeljeznicar and the people at the club treated him very well, with a professional attitude during his stay at Grbavica.

“Zeljeznicar was a very important step in his career,” Keric concluded.

After almost a decade long apprenticeship in his native Switzerland, Gerhardt moved to Romanian club CS Otopeni where he struggled for first team football before being released.

He later moved to Canadian side Brantford Galaxy, before spending one and a half seasons at FK Zeljeznicar winning two National cups and a Premier league trophy.

His impressive form caught the eye of then Liberian head coach Roberto Landi, who handed him his 1st international cap in March of last year, after he was cleared to play through his Liberian heritage.

Gerhardt was present at training yesterday and took part in 7-a-side practice match.

PROFILE:
Nationality: Swiss/Liberian
Date of Birth: 31 July, 1985 (26)
Positions: Defensive Midfield, Center Back, Right Back
Hight: 184cm (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Weight: 79kg (174 lbs)
International: Switzerland U15, Switverland U16, Liberia National Team
Previous Clubs: BSC Young Boys, FC Concordia Basel (loan), SR Delemont (loan), CS Otopeni, Brantford Galaxy, FK Zeljeznicar.