German international goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand has been released by Valencia after relations with manager Unai Emery had reached a detrimental state. The manager has opted to place his faith with 23 year-old Brazilian Renan Brato and Hildebrand, once tipped as Santiago Canizares’ long-term replacement, had found himself content with a place on the bench. The club’s decision to terminate the three-year contract allows Hildebrand the option to move to another club even before the January transfer window opens for trade.
On the club’s official website, a statement read “Valencia wishes Hildebrand the best of luck in his future professional career.”
Hildebrand joined the six-times La Liga champions in 2007 from reigning native champions Stuttgart, where his presence and performances between the posts initially attracted the interest from Valencia. He held a Bundesliga record in the 2003/2004 season for clean sheets as 884 minutes passed without the goalkeeper picking the ball out of his own net. Upon his arrival under the guidance of Ronald Koeman, Hildebrand vowed to take the number one jersey off Canizares, citing "It will be difficult but I came here to fight it out and this is the sort of challenge I was looking for.” This challenge he might relish and thrive on, but not the continually fragmented nature of Valencia both on and off the pitch and the departure of Koeman signalled the end of Hildebrand’s phase at the club as Emery stepped in to take over the helm.
The infamous Copa del Rey triumph last season failed to dispel Koemen’s critics and the Dutchman fell foul to Valencia’s hideous league form and paid the penalty for a tangling with relegation. So despite Spain’s principal cup competition on show on Hildebrand’s mantelpiece as a remainder as to what he could achieve and bring to the team, he is looking for a new club.
The January transfer window is typically known as a difficult, almost impossible, environment to work within. Strengthening a depleted team is viewed as a necessity by fans and while managers mainly fail in attracting the highest calibre of superstars on their shopping list, here is a vastly experienced goalkeeper eager for first-team football and known around Europe for having the knack of bundling up clean sheets – perhaps not as ambitious as a Buffon or a Casillas, but a free signing that would be an extraordinary stocking-filler for any football club this Christmas.
Valencia travel to the Nou Camp this weekend in an attempt to continue their strong away form and a positive result would temporarily hide rumours of financial hardship. How damaging the club’s accounts are remains to be seen, but one David Villa could be an early contender for the most sought after player in the January market if Valencia need to raise revenue from the sale of their star names.
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