Sjaak Polak
Encyclopedia
Sjaak Polak is a Dutch
footballer who is currently a free agent
after being released by BV Veendam
.
, FC Twente
, and ADO Den Haag
. In May 2008, Sparta announced that they would not extend his contract.
After that, Sjaak had several trials, in Austria for example with Austria Vienna
and with Swiss club St. Gallen
, but without success. He ended up in Israel, where he is currently trialing with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Maccabi is interested in Polak's services because he is of Jewish descent (his grandfather, on his father's side is Jewish), and would not count as a foreigner for the club, thanks to the "Law of Return
." Polak had trouble getting the necessary documentation proving his family's Jewish origins and when he was told that he would be asked to give up his Dutch citizenship, he decided to sign for BV Veendam back in his native Holland.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
footballer who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after being released by BV Veendam
BV Veendam
SC Veendam is a Dutch football club based in Veendam, Groningen province, playing in the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of football in the Netherlands. The club's official colours are black and yellow.- History :...
.
Club career
An outspoken wingback and freekick specialist, Polak previously played for Excelsior RotterdamExcelsior Rotterdam
SBV Excelsior is a professional football club from the Kralingen-Crooswijk district of Rotterdam, Netherlands. It was founded on July 23, 1902 and was formerly known as 'Rotterdamse Voetbal en Atletiek Vereniging Excelsior'...
, FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
, and ADO Den Haag
ADO Den Haag
Alles Door Oefening Den Haag , commonly known by the abbreviated name ADO Den Haag , is a Dutch football club from the city of The Hague. The club was for a time known as FC Den Haag , with ADO representing the amateur branch of the club...
. In May 2008, Sparta announced that they would not extend his contract.
After that, Sjaak had several trials, in Austria for example with Austria Vienna
FK Austria Wien
Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA...
and with Swiss club St. Gallen
FC St. Gallen
Football Club St. Gallen 1879 is a Swiss football club based in St. Gallen. The club is currently playing in the 2011/12 Swiss Challenge League.-Brief history:...
, but without success. He ended up in Israel, where he is currently trialing with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Maccabi is interested in Polak's services because he is of Jewish descent (his grandfather, on his father's side is Jewish), and would not count as a foreigner for the club, thanks to the "Law of Return
Law of Return
The Law of Return is Israeli legislation, passed on 5 July 1950, that gives Jews the right of return and settlement in Israel and gain citizenship...
." Polak had trouble getting the necessary documentation proving his family's Jewish origins and when he was told that he would be asked to give up his Dutch citizenship, he decided to sign for BV Veendam back in his native Holland.
External links
- Player profile - Sparta Rotterdam
- Career stats - Voetbal International