Aussie youngster drops to German second tier after advice from Reus

Aussie whiz-kid Jamie Gorgovski has switched from Borussia Dortmund to German second tier club Vfb Bochum after heeding the advice of Germany international Marco Reus.

Gorgovski

Source: Supplied

Reus, one of Dortmund’s most prized assets, spent two weeks in rehab alongside 16 year-old Gorgovski last year as the youngster recovered from a broken collarbone.

And Gorgovski, who joined Dortmund's youth set up 11 months ago, was all ears as Reus mapped out the best way to maximise his potential.

After inking a two-year youth contract at Bochum with a view to a full professional deal, Gorgovski revealed how Reus’s words of wisdom struck a chord and played a part in prompting him to accept Bochum’s approach.

“We trained together for about two weeks doing passing and shooting drills and general ball work," Gorgovski said.

“He’s a fantastic player and it was good to get close to him and listen to what he had to say.

“He got released by Dortmund at 17 and joined Gladbach, and they brought him back at the age of 22.

“His message to me was about the importance of going somewhere that you have the chance of first team football at the highest level possible.

“His advice was a big factor in my decision. He’s one of Germany’s top players and it was great to have the connection with him.

“Bochum is a great level. Of course there’s a risk in leaving Dortmund but I back myself and if I am going to go for it, I’m going 100 per cent.”

The New South Wales Institute of Sport graduate nicknamed ‘The Hurricane’ will join a Bochum team pushing for promotion to the Bundesliga via the play-offs. Initially, he will link-up with their Under-19s team while training twice a week with the senior side.

“If things work out well I have been promised a pro-contract in a couple of months, and that was one of the main reasons I have joined the club,” Gorgovski said.

“Obviously Dortmund are a massive club and the chance of playing first team football was pretty low. By coming to Bochum there’s the possibility of getting some first team football at a young age.

“It's a huge opportunity for me. They showed their interest after I played against them late last year for Dortmund’s Under-16s, and it went from there.

With the resumption of the German season imminent after the winter break, sith-placed Bochum are coming off impressive warm-up wins over Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen.

"They have a Dutch coach (Gertjan Verbeek) and they like to keep the ball, and their style really suits me," Gorgovski said.

“They don’t have an Under-23 team at Bochum, and just want their best players from the Under-19s to progress straight into the first team, which is another reason I went there.

“If you are good enough, they will give you the chance. It’s another path from Dortmund, but from what I see it’s the right one.

"Unfortunately I broke my collar bone three games into the Under-17s season and was out until around November time, which is when I played against Bochum.

“It was unlucky, but sort of lucky as well because I got that opportunity to rehab time with Marco Reus.”


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3 min read
Published 22 January 2016 6:57am
Updated 22 January 2016 8:39am
By David Lewis

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