Departure from Rapid: Harry Pichler has swapped the green & white of Rapid for the green & black of SV Ried. 26 year old Pichler, who joined in Summer 2011 from Wacker Innsbruck, has finalised his move and leaves the club with immediate effect. With Pichler's contract due to expiring in the Summer, Ried moved in and secured his signature for an undisclosed fee.Pichler made 71 appearances (2 goals) for the club, however during the current season the former Austria U-20 international has been used only 13 times in tipp3-Bundesliga matches, making one appearance in the Samsung Austrian FA Cup and Europa League respectively.Harry Pichler leaves the club on the best possible terms: "I'm proud that I was able to pull on the green and white jersey for the past two and a half years and want to thank all my fellow players, the staff and the fans for the support I've received. Rapid has been an incredibly important stop on my journey, but now its time for a fresh start in Ried. I hope that Rapid start the year with with a derby victory and my new club Ried with me on board with a win against Wiener Neustadt", said Pichler.Trainer Zoran Barisic wished his former player all the best: "Harry is a  charachter and also an model sportsman who has come through a tough Autumn. I'm positive that he'll be able to demonstrate his quality in Ried and I wish him all the best and lots of success in the future." In Green & White until 2017Two top young talents have committed their futures to the club: 20-year-old duo Mario Pavelic and Dominik Starkl have extended their contracts until Summer 2017.Its a move that pleases Trainer Zoran Barisic: "I know both the players from my time as reserve team boss really well and know that they have what it takes to develop into important players in the first team. Both have exceptional attitudes, are good lads and I'm sure that they'll provide plenty of excitement for the Rapid fans in the coming years", said Barisic, who is currently attending another UEFA-Pro-License training course.Director of Football Andreas Müller was equally delighted with the outcome: "The extensions confirm once again the clubs philosophy of bringing our talent through the Academy, giving them chances in the first team and tieing them to the club long term. During the planning in Autumn the whole trainer team was, as was my predecessor Helmut Schulte, of the opinion that these extensions were the right way forward so its good to have it all signed and sealed. Both players have shown enormous potential. Without his injury Dominik Starkl would already have plenty more games for the Autria U-21's under his belt, which speaks for his ability."From the reserves to the first teamForward Dominik Starkl, who has been completing his compulsory military service since January 7th, joined Rapid from the academy of hometown club St. Pölten and has made 21 appearances (3 goals) for the first team so far - and is already known for his exceptional work rate.Mario Pavelic joined in Summer 2009 from SC Neusiedl and went into the Rapid Academy, moving up to the reserves in Summer 2011 and going on to make 52 appearances (2 goals) in the Regional League East. He got a first taste of senior team action when he made a short appearance against Asteras Tripoli in the Europa League qualifier. The versatile man from Burgenland has made 6 appearances in the top flight, playing in three different positions (left fullback, right fullback, right midfield). The right footer was delighted to have extended his contract: "It was always my dream to make the jump to the senior squad and I'm proud that the club has shown the faith in me to let me prove myself here long term. I'm going to fight hard to earn more appearances and I'm raring to go for the re-start!"(gw)
15.01.2014