GER - Germany point guard Roller will play abroad

FRANKFURT (Bundesliga) - German national team point guard Pascal Roller has confirmed he will play outside his native country next season.

The Frankfurter Neue Presse daily reported on Monday that Roller would be staying with the Deutsche Bank Skyliners, despite receiving a host of offers from Spanish and French clubs.

However, the 29-year-old will in fact spend one season abroad at a yet un-named club before returning to Germany to see out his contract, which runs until 2011.

"I think the right time has come to use the opportunity a club has offered me," Roller told the Skyliners` official website.

“It was always a wish of mine to play abroad once, and I'm at an age where I have to make that jump.

"I really wanted to consider the decision and not make it too hasty. That's why I took as much time as I could."

Roller has been with the Frankfurt club since it was founded in 1999 and led the team to the 2000 German Cup and the 2004 Bundesliga title.

The five-time German All-Star, who averaged 10.8 points and 2.7 assists with the club, also helped the German national team to the silver medal at 2005 EuroBasket.

Roller added: "It wasn't easy to take this step since I identify myself with this club and could have imagined really going at it this season after the horrible season last year.

“But the chance to fulfil my dream of a year abroad was more important."

Frankfurt's managing director Gunnar Woebke is sad to see Roller go but believes he has made the right decision.

"We still see it with laughing and crying eyes,” he said. “Everybody knows how much Pascal Roller means to this club. You can't very easily replace a personality like his.

“It's tough for me to think about experiencing the team introductions for an entire season without Pascal.

"But on the other side, a year abroad is an important step to complete a player's career and gather new experiences. He would have regretted not having tried it later.

“It's the philosophy of our club to push all employees as far as possible so they get the maximum of their ability and realise their career goals.”

Although it was not announced where Roller would play next season, he has often said his top choice would be Spain`s Liga ACB.

By PA Sport
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