Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren has boosted his first-team hopes with German 2.Bundesliga club Darmstadt 98 after scoring in their 4-1 pre-season win over Dutch Eredivisie outfit Roda JC.
Maclaren, who has made public his desire to leave Darmstadt this off-season, netted in the 74th minute after coming off the bench 10 minutes earlier.
The Australian striker netted from close range from a Darmstadt corner to round out the scoring in his side's final game before the new league season starts.
Maclaren, who turned 25 on Sunday, had joined Darmstadt on a three-year deal last year but failed to score nor make a start in the first half of the 2017-18 season, leading to a January loan move to Scottish club Hibernian.
The ex-Brisbane Roar man enjoyed a productive six-month spell with Hibernian, scoring eight goals in 15 appearances and voiced his desire to leave Darmstadt.
However, Darmstadt are keen to retain Maclaren and will demand a significant transfer fee for his services, scuppering his hopes of a move despite interest.
Maclaren played 30 minutes in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Aaron Mooy’s Huddersfield, where coach Dirk Schuster discussed the Socceroo’s situation post-game.
“We have explained to Jamie how we see the coming season playing out,” Schuster said.
“He told us his point of view, but so far no outcome has been reached.
“We will sit down with him and discuss whether there is any concrete desire for a change of club. There is certainly none with us.
“After we clear the air, we will hopefully have a fit, healthy and happy player in our squad.
“This season, we will have the likes of Hamburg and Cologne in the league. We need the best possible squad to challenge, which includes Jamie.”
Darmstadt's 2.Bundesliga campaign commences next Sunday at home to newly promoted Paderborn.
Die Treffer erzielten Kempe (2x), Sulu und Maclaren. Zum Spielbericht: https://t.co/KxUI0dmRFI #sv98 pic.twitter.com/rcpPHjaIXW
— SV Darmstadt 98 (@sv98) July 28, 2018
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