The club again dips into the market to strengthen the team: current Austrian U-21 keeper Samuel Radlinger joins us. Our Sporting Director Helmut Schulte was able to conduct direct negotiations with his Hannover 96 counter part Dirk Dufner during the German outfit's training camp in Glücksburg. The result of the conversations was a two year loan deal, signed and sealed.Helmut Schulte on the signing: "Through extremely constructive talks, both with representatives of Hannover 96 and Samuel Radlinger's management, we have managed to reach a deal that wont result in any additional short term costs for Rapid. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to bring in this young keeper, for whom many are expecting a great future, and who was also extremely keen to join our club."Radlinger will go straight into the first team squad, filling the spot vacated by Marko Maric's participation in the coming FIFA U-17 World Cup in the UAE with Croatia. "With Lukas Königshofer, a player with whom we retain an excellent working relationship, we have had frank and open discussions, and he knows that should a club be interested in acquiring his services that we won't stand in his way. Until that time comes he is obviously welcome to continue to train with the first team squad." Schulte's Hannover counterpart added: "Samuel Radlinger will get important game time at Rapid that will be crucial to his development. I'm convinced that this loan agreement makes sense for both clubs and the player." Hannover have also announced a new deal for Radlinger that will see the player remain under contract with the Lower Saxony outfit until 2017.Radlinger's new Trainer Zoran Barisic is delighted with his new acquisition: "Samuel has huge potential and is coming with the right attitude. Also thanks to his tall frame (198 cm) he has the ability to control his penalty area and has exceptional footballing skills as he spent an unusually long amount of time as an outfield player", said Barisic, who continued: "the transfer represents a continuation of our philosophy of bringing in the best available Austrian talents. Radlinger has all the talent required to get his head down and work his way into the first team picture."Samuel Radlinger was born on 7th November 1992 in Haag am Hausruck in Upper Austria. He came through the youth ranks at local club SV Ried before departing on loan to non-league Union St. Florian in 2010. In 2011 he moved to Hannover 96 and has since played 46 times for the reserves in the regional German league north.As previously mentioned, Samuel is the current Austrian U-21 goalie and has made 14 appearances at all youth levels for Austria, 9 of which have been for the U-21's. He was an ever present in the U-20's World Cup campaign in Colombia two years ago.Samuel Radlinger on his own transfer: "I'm delighted and relieved that everything has been boxed off and I'm extremely excited about this new challenge at Rapid! From the first day on its a case of giving everything for the Green & White and I hope I can secure a place in the starting 11."(gw)
15.07.2013