Cherundolo set for testimonial swansong
Hanover - After just over 15 years and 302 Bundesliga appearances, Hannover 96 club legend Steven Cherundolo will officially bring his professional career to an end on Sunday.
‘Opportunity to celebrate’
The long-standing captain, whose last competitive fixture for the Reds took place back in December 2013 in a 2-1 loss to SC Freiburg, will take to the field in a testimonial match with the ‘96 All Stars’ set to take on the ‘Hannover All Stars’ at the HDI-Arena (kick-off 14:00 CET).
“It’s a great opportunity for all the fans, Hannover 96 and the city of Hanover to celebrate as a whole,” said Cherundolo, who is anticipating lining up alongside the likes former 96ers Thomas Brdaric and Jan Simak as he concludes the final chapter of a storied career. Also set to feature is prominent fan and TV presenter Oliver Pocher, while Hamburger SV head coach Mirko Slomka will have to settle for a place on the bench.
According to club president Martin Kind, the 35-year-old former American international, currently working as a full-time coach with Hannover’s Under-15s, should be counted as a “role model” and “model professional”. Cherundolo was forced to call time on his career before the end of last season due to persistent knee problems, but is also set to be given a short run out by head coach Tayfun Korkut in Hannover’s pre-season friendly against SS Lazio on 10 August (kick-off 15:30 CET).
