Feyenoord give Bombarda a chance

Mariano Bombarda, the 29-year-old Argentinian striker, has signed for last season's UEFA Cup winners Feyenoord on a two-year contract.

Sound record
Bombarda, who has scored 97 goals in 227 league matches for FC Groningen and Willem II in the Netherlands and FC Metz in France, will go some way to filling the gap left by Johan Elmander who returned to Sweden to finish the season on loan with Djurgårdens IF FF and Jon Dahl Tomasson who moved to Milan AC in the summer. The signing will be a further boost to the Dutch side following last night's qualification for the UEFA Champions League first group stage.
 
Fresh challenge
At the start of the year, Bombarda refused to sign a new contract with Willem because he wanted a new challenge after four years with the club. He moved to Spain in the summer and tried to attract the attentions of a Spanish club. However, after little interest, the striker, who had contemplated retiring, has been given a fresh opportunity in the Netherlands. He has passed his medical but will take a couple of weeks to become match fit.
 
Back to goal
"We have been monitoring Bombarda for some months," Feyenoord's coach, Bert van Marwijk, said. "He can replace Pierre Van Hooijdonk when needed, but he is also useful when we need someone in the box who can play with his back towards the goal."