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Michael Ball was on the verge of closing a deal with Birmingham, when PSV manager Guus Hiddink all of a sudden called him. So Ball will now ply his trade with the ruling Dutch champions, but he explains: "When Guus Hiddink got in touch with me, things changed rapidly. When a club like PSV shows interest, you are obviously open for an offer." Birmingham"I realized some time ago that I had to leave the Rangers. This transfer was completed in the nick of time. If PSV had approached me twenty minutes later, I would have spent the season with Birmingham", said Ball at De Herdgang training ground on Thursday morning. Michael Ball will take his wife and two children to Eindhoven, where they a new experience is awaiting them. "I think this is a major step forward in my career. Circumstances here are excellent and I know this will be a great experience for us."Ronald WaterreusRonald Waterreus played a part in realizing this move. The former PSV goalkeeper, who is in the service of Glasgow Rangers these days, told PSV of the full left back. "I’ve been talking things over with Ronald, who only told positive things about PSV. I also discussed my move with Fernando Ricksen and he immediately made the ‘thumbs up’ sign”, said Ball. He started his career with Everton, where he was handed his first-team debut at the age of 17. He was mostly played as a full left back, but he also occupied the position as centre-back in the heart of defence.He sustained an injury two weeks after he had joined the Glasgow Rangers. Just before his move to the Scottish giants, he had made his debut for the English national team. It was to be his only cap up till now. But Ball claims: “I hope to impress at PSV and stage a comeback to the national team in this way." "Great adventure"Michael Ball will not only have the experience of playing for a new club; he will also find out what it means to play in another league. "The Premier League is fast and exciting and many good players make or should I say made appearances in the Scottish league. Ronald de Boer, Michael Mols and Ricksen, just to mention a few, were colleagues of mine at the rangers. This is a great adventure for me and I can’t wait to get started. It’s a shame, though, I won’t be allowed to play in the Champions League group games."Michael Ball will undergo a medical today, after which he hopes to get going at De Herdgang as soon as possible.
