The former Bundesliga centre back's father was actually born in Australia after his grandparents emigrated here last century.

His father returned to Germany at the age of 18 where he met Ziegler's mother and Patrick was later born in Gräfelfing, West Germany.

But because of his Australian-born father, Ziegler, 28, is eligible for dual nationality and is now just awaiting his Australian citizenship to come through when he will technically become eligible for the Socceroos too.

Despite the strong blood link to Oz though, it was seeing how fellow countryman Broich adapted to life in Brisbane and away from Germany that convinced him to make the move to Sydney.

"Before I decided to move to Australia and join the Wanderers, I watched Thomas Broich’s documentary Tom Meets Zizou," Ziegler told Players Voice.

"If you haven’t seen it, you should check it out. It shows a very different perspective on football. It also played a big part in why I chose to come here.

"Thomas had a lot of potential but was never a huge player in Germany. Football is very serious business over there and he is not that kind of guy.

"Thomas is intelligent and a thinker, which is not always seen as a good thing in Germany. But here in Australia, in Brisbane, the style of football and the mentality suited him perfectly. Far more than it ever did in Germany.

"After a few years, his name became very popular in Germany again. The recognition came that he was doing things his own way, winning a lot of trophies and everyone respected him for it."