FIFA World Cup: Hofmann aims high with Austria

/noticias.info/ SK Rapid Wien's German-born captain Steffen Hofmann has announced he intends to take Austrian nationality.

Family decision
The outstanding performer in the Austrian Bundesliga last season, the 24-year-old led Rapid to the 2004/05 championship. However, he has endured months of speculation as he had the opportunity to play for either Germany or Austria. The former FC Bayern München trainee has cited personal reasons for his decision: "Basically it's my family, and the attractiveness of the Austrian national team." Austria and Switzerland will qualify automatically for UEFA EURO 2008™ as tournament hosts.

Scotland chance
Hofmann is in his fourth season with Rapid, having made a solitary substitute appearance for Bayern in Germany's Bundesliga. He could wear the Austria shirt for the first time in a friendly against Scotland on 17 August, after which the Austrians face their remaining qualifying matches for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.