With 364 Premier League appearances, 101 caps for Denmark, two World Cups and a European Championship to his name, on paper it’s fair to say Melbourne City have a keeper on their hands in Thomas Sorensen.
However, at 39-years-old and having not played as first choice for over three seasons now, what value does signing a semi-retired goalkeeper from overseas add to the league?
If anything, it leaves the door closed to many talented NPL custodians who have been knocking for a while now.
In Australia, one position rarely lacking in depth is the goalkeeper.
A by-product of physical sports such as AFL and rugby an eventual soccer player may participate in as a junior, this nation has a track record of producing renowned figures between the sticks at international level.
There’s also a depth of ‘keepers in the state leagues biding their time for an opportunity at a higher level.
Signing Sorensen is another example of the A-League’s lack of faith in state league players, who are struggling to get a fair look in when vacancies open up on club rosters.
The issue doesn’t end with Sorensen, however, as on the other end of the spectrum, the likes of Andrew Redmayne and Jerrad Tyson have shopped around at least three A-League clubs each without establishing themselves as first choices.
In the meantime, 2014 NPL Goalkeeper of the Year Chris Oldfield – who recently made four consecutive penalty shootout saves in the finals – Chris May, the standout NPL ‘keeper in 2015, and Alistair Bray, a talented youngster formerly on the books of Melbourne Heart, all produce consistent results for their respective sides.
In theory, the NPL is meant to be Australia’s second-tier competition which supplements the top level, providing semi-professional players a platform to showcase their abilities to potential A-League suitors.
Yet in reality, NPL players continue to be scarcely provided an opportunity in the top flight, with A-League clubs commonly moving players between one another, rather than delving into the various state leagues for easily accessible talent.
The absence of the promotion/relegation system and small squad sizes in a 10-team league are continual hurdles faced by semi-professionals in the country.
While the onset of the FFA Cup has provided such players another platform to showcase their talents to a wider audience, there continues to be a general reluctance by A-League clubs to take a punt on NPL players.
The FFA has responded to some extent by allowing A-League clubs to sign mature-age rookies from semi-professional environments outside the salary cap.
However, the signing of Sorensen is further proof that the respective football departments at top-flight clubs are still reluctant to give those plying their trades in a semi-professional context a chance at the big time.