Swans goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel will enjoy a German reunion at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon as FC Stuttgart fly in for a pre-season friendly (3pm).
Tremmel, who was born in Munich, the capital and largest city of the German state of Bavaria, is hoping to come up against some of his former Bundesliga colleagues and acquaintances.
Having played the majority of his senior career in Germany with the likes Hannover, Hertha Berlin and Energie Cottbus, the 33-year-old former Bayern Munich trainee was snapped up by the Swans last summer from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg after a successful trial.
And although the amiable goalkeeper has spent the majority of his time at the Liberty as understudy to the outstanding Michel Vorm, Tremmel is hoping for another cameo appearance on Saturday against a strong Bundesliga side managed by former German striker Bruno Labbadia.
“I’m looking forward to Stuttgart arriving at the Liberty Stadium,’’ explained Tremmel. “It will be good to see a few old faces again and hear a bit of German!
“I know a couple of players there and some of the coaching staff, people like the sporting director and goalkeeping coach. My agent is from Stuttgart as well, so I’m looking forward to meeting them again.
“It is going to be a tough game though and we will have to concentrate. Stuttgart had a very good season in the Bundesliga last year, finishing sixth, and it will be a tough challenge.
“German sides are normally physically very hard to play against. They will be strong and organised, I can guarantee you that.’’
Stuttgart, Bundesliga Champions in 2007, have finished outside the top ten just once in the last 11 seasons and include Brazilian-born German international striker Cacau, Danish Euro 2012 midfielder William Kvist and Germany defender Serdar Tasci.
Despite finding game time limited last season with Vorm in such fine form, Tremmel has vowed to be ready when called upon in the club’s second season in the Barclays Premier League.
“As the second ‘keeper you have to be patient,’’ explained Tremmel, who came on as second-half substitute against Blackpool in midweek. “You have to keep working hard so that you are fit and in shape to perform well when your chance comes.
“Obviously Michel (Vorm) did a great job last season. That’s unfortunate for me, but I’m not sad because it’s all about the team and the club staying in the Premier League.
“I’ve got no doubt from my own experience that the second season for a promoted club is the hardest. Teams will know what to expect now when they come to the Liberty Stadium.
“But we’ll be ready to give them something different. The trip to America was amazing for the group getting back into shape and getting closer. The new players got to settle in and we got to know the new manager better.’’
Tickets are now on sale for the game against FC Stuttgart from the Liberty Stadium ticket office, priced £15 for adults and £7.50 for concessions.