Mike Hanke Officially Introduced

 

Wolfsburg – around a dozen representatives of the press, mostly photographers, took part in the official introduction of Mike Hanke on Sunday morning (12 June 2005). Hanke, a member of the national team, will be wearing VfL Wolsburg guernsey from next season. Accompanied by his girlfriend, Caroline, he visited his future home at the weekend. Amongst other things, they were looking for a house.

 

"I want to move as quickly as possible. I haven’t really got to know Wolfsburg all that well yet, but I now know just about every small town between Wolfsburg and Braunschweig,” says Hanke. To the question as to his reasons for changing to Wolfsburg, the forward explains: "I can see better opportunities for me as a player here in Wolfsburg. I have set myself the goal of playing with VfL internationally. But I know that I don’t have any guarantee of a place in the team here. I have to work for my place just like everyone else." The former Schalke player will be wearing number 11 at VfL.

 

Strunz and Fach in Discussions with D'Alessandro

 

Hanke, who has already represented the DFB in teams with Maik Franz (U21) and Simon Jentzsch (Team 2006), is a member of the German national team for the Confederations Cup, being played in Germany from 15th to 29th June. "I am really looking forward to this tournament. The greatest thing for a footballer is to play in the national team." Hanke is not expected to take part in Wolfsburg's initial training. "I am working on the assumption that the German team will advance beyond the preliminary rounds, which means he will not be with us on 24th June," explains VfL Manager Thomas Strunz. He continues,  "We are planning for the long term with Mike Hanke. I am sure that he will develop further as a player here with us and score a lot of goals for VfL."

 

Strunz and trainer Holger Fach set off for South America on Sunday evening. The itinerary includes a discussion with Andres D’Alessandro in Argentina. "I am optimistic. We want to talk freely and objectively. But Andres has to understand that every individual in the team must fulfil his assigned role. We want to work through certain issues and pour oil on troubled waters. I am sure that Andres D'Alessandro will be back in Wolfsburg for the initial training on 24th June," declares Strunz. The same applies for Martin Petrov, whose move has been a matter of speculation in public. Holger Fach returns to Germany on Wednesday, whilst Thomas Strunz is expected back in Wolfsburg on Friday.