Glory circling for Herd after Williams coup

Hot on the heels of signing Australia defender Rhys Williams, Perth Glory are in discussions over also bringing fellow Socceroos defender Chris Herd back to his hometown.

Herd

Chesterfield's Chris Herd in League One action against Shrewsbury Town in January Source: Getty Images

Herd's one-year contract with League One Chesterfield is due to expire and it’s unclear whether he will remain with the struggling Midlands club beyond the remainder of this season.

The 27 year-old, who made 42 appearances in six injury-interupted seasons at Aston Villa, was released by the newly relegated Premier League side at the end of last season, after loan spells at Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic.

He has made 22 appearances for battling Chesterfield and according to his father, former Scottish professional Willie Herd, “is looking at all his options for next season”.

“It’s about assessing which way to go. Perth is certainly a possibility and there have been some talks but he’s just going to see what happens over the next few weeks," he said.

One of those options is Glory, whose coach Kenny Lowe believes the versatile Herd – who has three Socceroos caps – would be an astute capture. That is all dependent on whether Herd cuts short a career in the UK that began a decade ago when he joined Villa’s youth academy, along with defender Shane Lowry – one of Glory’s successful January transfer window signings.
Herd – like Middlesbrough utility Williams – has been plagued by injury in recent times but has showed this season that those problems are behind him.

While adamant last year when contacted by The World Game that his future lay in England, where he has a wife and child, it’s understood that Herd has reappraised the situation and is willing to listen to offers in Australia, with Glory the clear favourites to snare him.
Like Williams, Herd is keen to force himself back into Soccroos contention and with coach Ange Postecoglou promoting a host of A-League talent in recent seasons,he knows that coming home could enhance his hopes of a recall.


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2 min read
Published 21 April 2016 8:58am
Updated 21 April 2016 1:57pm
By David Lewis

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