Hakansson to lift young Jets

WORLDGAME - SBS

30 July 2008 | 21:42 - SBS: Mark Fowler
ARTICLE
Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond believes new signing Jesper Hakansson will add some much-needed experience to his side - despite the Danish striker still being a fortnight away from his 27th birthday.
Jets sign Danish striker

Hakansson, who has joined the reigning A-League champions on a two-year deal, has an impressive playing resume having turned out for SC Heerenveen, RBC Roosendaal and ADO Den Haag in the Dutch Eredivisie as well as stints in Sweden with Djurgardens IF and in his native Denmark with Viborg FF and Lyngby BK.
And with the Jets losing the experience of Andrew Durante, Steve Eagleton and Paul Kohler, in addition to young guns Mark Bridge and Stuart Musialik (both Sydney FC), Van Egmond believes Hakansson can lift his youthful team-mates.
“The experience that he’s got will be great for our squad because of the age of our team,” Van Egmond said after Wednesday afternoon’s training session in Port Macquarie ahead of Saturday’s Pre-Season Cup game against Melbourne Victory.
“He’s a good pro - he goes about his work really well so he’s a good example for the younger players coming through.”
Van Egmond, who also hopes to secure the signature of another striker ‘by the end of the week’, said Hakansson’s versatility is an asset.
“We’ll have a 20 or 21-man squad and he gives us value as a second striker, wide player or even in the middle of the park.”