The welcome culture at SK Sturm was and always is very warm. All players are welcomed with open arms by the black and white family. This was also demonstrated by Emanuel Emegha’s gesture when he – not yet a Grazer veteran – embraced new acquisition Szymon Wlodarczyk, after officially introducing himself to new colleagues with a song from his native Poland. It is unclear how long Wlodarczyk and Emegha will play together at SK Sturm. Several European clubs have known Emegha for a long time and want to sign the striker because of his qualities.
Sporting director Andreas Schicker confirms the strong interest of several clubs in the Dutchman and talks about the negotiations “which are going in the right direction”. There are also official offers for the striker. “We will seek a good solution together with the player. As of now, however, he is still a Sturm Graz player. If the offer is right and the player wants it, we will accept the change”, says Schicker.
Transfer market dynamics
There are rumors about other strikers like Jusuf Gazibegovic, Amadou Dante, David Schnegg and Alexander Prass. Gazibegovic and Schnegg have always been linked to clubs in Germany. “You have to classify these as rumors at the moment,” says Schicker. However, he assumes that the transfer market will continue to gain momentum. And that some Sturm players are in demand is understandable after three successful years.
Of course, a right-back will be signed. If Gazibegovic does leave the club, “then we’ll have two players,” says Schicker, emphasizing: “It’s now mid-July and we’re certainly not going to rush anything. We want a player that suits us.”
Vesel Demaku usually pairs with Sturm. Schicker: “He also trained very well.” But if there is interest, it will be borrowed or even transferred. As extensive as the conversion is, Stefan Hierländer will remain captain for the sixth consecutive year and will also lead the Sturm team in today’s friendly (Merkur Arena, 19h) against Galatasaray Istanbul.
Player advice remains the same
And there is continuity as far as the team council is concerned. The committee is made up of five players: Hierländer, Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Jakob Jantscher, Otar Kiteishvili and Gregory Wüthrich. After his departure to LASK, goalkeeper Jörg Siebenhandl was dropped.