How can you make a decent amount of money from a free transfer? This question apparently was asked by Mark Rudan before his move to Alemannia Aachen, and he wanted to rob his new employer just like th...
How can you make a decent amount of money from a free transfer? This question apparently was asked by Mark Rudan before his move to Alemannia Aachen, and he wanted to rob his new employer just like that. Excuse me!?
The story took place in the winter of 2001. At that time, Alemannia Aachen was still playing in the 2nd Bundesliga and wanted to strengthen their team during the winter break. The Aacheners paid a supposed transfer fee of 290,000 Marks to Northern Spirit Sydney for the Australian. Only later it was revealed that Rudan was a free transfer.
As reported at the time by the 'Rheinische Post' among others, Rudan is said to have obtained blank letterheads from his former Australian club. A fake invoice for the transfer fee was then created on this. For the receipt, they even forged the signature of the Australian club director.
Like in a bad movie, the transfer fee was then handed over in a briefcase at the Aachen office to a supposed manager from Northern Spirit. The only problem was that he had nothing to do with the club, but was a fraudster.
Rudan had colluded with the player agents Hans Hägele and Frano Zelic, as well as the former Alemannia treasurer Bernd Krings, and the four of them divided the money among themselves.
Because the money never reappeared, it ultimately led to investigations by the public prosecutor's office and the accused received probationary sentences.
The German adventure was over pretty quickly for Rudan. After only one year and 15 appearances in the 2nd Bundesliga, he transferred to China for free. This time, really for free.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
📸 Mark Nolan - 2006 Getty Images
Category: General Sports
