Hamann joins MK Dons

Midfielder Dietmar 'Didi' Hamann was one of my favourite players during his playing days and his career looked to be over last summer as he wasn't able to find a suitable club after Manchester City didn't renew his contract.
Hamann had made up his mind to stay in England with offers from Preston North End, Queen Park Rangers and Notts County.

But the most curious offer came from German sixth division club KFC Uerdingen, who had signed former Bundesliga top scorer Ailton and then wanted further former top players to strengthen their squad to fight for promotion, but for Hamann playing in the sixth division Niederrheinliga was more carnival then football so he declined the offer.

But now the former German international makes a comeback as a player-cum-coach at English League One side Milton Keynes Dons. 37 year old Hamann is still loved and adored on the British Isles since his days at Newcastle United, FC Liverpool and Manchester City.

The MK Dons, the former FC Wimbledon, hope with the signing of Hamann to give the club the right impetus to push for Championship promotion next season. For the club the signing of the Bavarian is their biggest signing by name ever.
MK Dons coach Karl Robinson hopes Hamann can use his experience on the pitch as well as the dressing room to lead the younger players. Hamann's focus now is to get fit again before the start of pre-season training.

During his playing days Hamann was a midfield strategist. Some would say his style was lethargic, he often slowed down the game and wasn't the most creative but still an influential player wherever he played.

Didi Hamann came out of the youth system at Bayern Munich and went on to play 59 times for Germany. He won the German Bundesliga, German Cup and UEFA Cup amongst others at the Bavarian giants before winning the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, English FA Cup and League Cup titles with Liverpool.

In Germany Hamann will be mostly remembered for scoring in the 1-0 victory against England at Wembley on October 7, 2000; the last goal to be scored at the old Wembley stadium and being part of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad which went on to reach the finals only to lose to Brazil.

It will be great to see Didi Hamann in action again...