Andy Nägelein

Nägelein was born on 5 October 1981 in Hong Kong, his father, a German working in Hong Kong, and his mother, a Hongkongese. He has a sister, who was also born in Hong Kong. When he was a year old, his family went back to Nuremberg, Germany.{{cite web|url=http://www.takungpao.com/news/10/04/25/WF-1248386.htm |script-title=zh:期待披上港足戰衣──訪深圳隊港德混血中場聶凌峰（上） |language=Chinese |publisher=Ta Kung Pao |date=25 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530064545/http://www.takungpao.com/news/10/04/25/WF-1248386.htm |archivedate=30 May 2010 }}{{cite web | url = http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/deutscher-fussballer-in-china-aus-andy-wird-nie-ling-fung-1.1044162 | title = Aus Andy wird Nie Ling Fung | language = German | publisher = Süddeutsche Zeitung | date = 10 January 2011 | accessdate = 30 September 2012 | first = Albert | last = Linner}}

At the age of five, Nägelein started playing football for a local club and he scored 170 goals in the league, so Nägelein switched to 1. FC Nürnberg and stayed for nine years. He played as a striker as a young player, but he plays as a midfielder. This is because his coach told him that "offense can win a game, but defense wins championship". After the Nuremberg era, he switched to different German clubs and he started his professional career in age 19.

Nägelein started his senior career with SC 04 Schwabach in the Oberliga Bayern. He moved to 1. FC Schweinfurt 05 in 2003. After Schweinfurt 05 released him in 2004, Nägelein joined 1. SC Feucht. However, Feucht was relegated at the end of the 2004–05 season, so he joined a new Regionalliga Nord club Kickers Emden. After good performances at Kickers Emden, he moved to SV Wacker Burghausen in the 2. Bundesliga. After half a year, he returned to Kickers Emden.{{cite web|url=http://www.bundesliga.de/en/liga2/news/2006/index.php?f=50424.php |title=Two more signings for Wacker |publisher=Deutsche Fußball Liga |date=1 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212000101/http://www.bundesliga.de/en/liga2/news/2006/index.php?f=50424.php |archivedate=12 February 2007 }} He was one of main players at the club in following {{frac|2|1|2}} seasons.{{cite web | url = http://www.oz-online.de/-news/artikel/15769/22-Stunden-Busfahrt-90-Minuten-Fussball | title = 22 Stunden Busfahrt - 90 Minuten Fußball | language = German | publisher = oz-online.de | date = 9 May 2009 | accessdate = 30 September 2012 | first = Sören | last = Siemens}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bsv-kickers-emden.de/0708/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=747&Itemid=168 |title=22. Spieltag: Eintracht Braunschweig – BSV Kickers 2:1 (0:1) |language=German |publisher=Kickers Emden |date=7 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218094545/http://www.bsv-kickers-emden.de/0708/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=747&Itemid=168 |archivedate=18 February 2009 }} After the 2008–09 season Emden voluntary withdrew from the league because of license restrictions, and Nägelein left the club.

In 2009, Nägelein signed for the Cypriot club APEP Pitsilia, it was his first time to play in a top division league.{{cite web | url = http://www.takungpao.com/news/10/04/26/WF-1248722_big5.htm | script-title=zh:抱怨不早點來中國──訪深圳隊港德混血中場聶凌峰（下）| language = Chinese| publisher = Ta Kung Pao | date = 26 April 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2012}}{{cite web | url = http://dev.cfa.com.cy/?lang=Gr&show=players&PlayerID=3182 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110814133539/http://dev.cfa.com.cy/?lang=Gr&show=players&PlayerID=3182 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 14 August 2011 | title = ΠΕΠ ΠΙΤΣΙΛΙΑΣ – ANDY HANNES LING FUNG NAGELEIN | language = Greek | publisher = Cyprus Football Association}} Nägelein attracted the interest of Asian clubs because he was born in Hong Kong. This is the reason to explain why Nägelein left for China before 2010 Chinese Super League started.

Nägelein was reportedly in talks with a number of Chinese clubs, including Shandong Luneng.{{cite web | url = http://sports.sohu.com/20100110/n269474687.shtml | script-title=zh:长期效力德国低级别联赛 如此外援鲁能也敢要？ | language = Chinese | publisher = Sohu | date = 10 January 2010 | accessdate = 30 September 2012}} On 12 February 2010, Shenzhen Ruby announced they had reached an agreement signing Nägelein.{{cite web | url = http://sports.sohu.com/20100213/n270230940.shtml | script-title=zh:郜林转会深足仍未签约 申花高层确认换来陈永强 | language = Chinese | publisher = Sohu | date = 13 February 2010 | accessdate = 30 September 2012}} Nägelein chose this club since Shenzhen is situated just north of Hong Kong. Nägelein was in the regular lineup of Shenzhen and created the best opening season since the club was founded. In a league match against Changchun Yatai on 18 April 2010, over one-third of fouls by Yatai players attacked him due to his enormous playing area.{{cite web | url = http://sports.163.com/10/0418/17/64IPO5KU00051C89.html | script-title=zh:聂凌峰为深足"撑腰" 亚泰1/3犯规都用在他身上 | language = Chinese | publisher = NetEase | date = 18 April 2010 | accessdate = 30 September 2012}}

Nägelein's injury in May 2010 made Shenzhen in low tide.{{cite web | url = http://sports.sohu.com/20100530/n272438641.shtml | script-title=zh:深圳红钻1–2不敌杭州绿城 七轮不胜困扰高歌奇 | language = Chinese | publisher = Sohu | date = 30 May 2010 | accessdate = 30 September 2012}} He came back to the field after the 2010 FIFA World Cup but Shenzhen Ruby lost to Tianjin Teda 2–1.{{cite web | url = http://sports.sina.com.cn/j/2010-07-14/18245106136.shtml | script-title=zh:于大宝首球津门骁将补时绝杀 天津客场2比1胜深圳 | language = Chinese | publisher = Sina | date = 14 July 2010 | accessdate = 30 September 2012}} Nägelein had a rest after this match due to his injury. He introduced his friend to South China and chairman of South China Steven Lo said he will contract two drained Hong Kong footballers simultaneously, so Hong Kong media thought one of two is Nägelein.{{cite web | url = http://hk.news.yahoo.com/article/100721/3/ja8v.html | script-title=zh:南華韓式集訓「國家規格」 | language = Chinese| publisher = Sing Tao Daily | date = 22 July 2010}}{{Dead link|date=September 2012}} Nevertheless, Lo said he never talked about this with Nägelein.{{cite web|url=http://www.takungpao.com.hk/news/10/07/23/WF-1288404.htm |script-title=zh:南華今飛赴韓國集訓 |language=Chinese |publisher=Ta Kung Pao |date=23 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719004541/http://www.takungpao.com.hk/news/10/07/23/WF-1288404.htm |archivedate=19 July 2011 }}

During the training in Shandong Sports Center on 17 September 2010, Nägelein quarreled with Vyacheslav Hleb by English profanity. After that, the oldest foreign player Aleksandar Živković came out to mediate.{{cite web|url=http://news.e23.cn/Content/2010-09-18/201091800286.html |script-title=zh:深圳曝内讧 日科夫忙调停显大佬本色 |language=Chinese |work=Jinan Times |date=18 September 2010 |accessdate=30 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312233648/http://news.e23.cn/Content/2010-09-18/201091800286.html |archivedate=12 March 2012}} Shenzhen Ruby lost 3–2 to Shandong Luneng on 18 September 2010, and this was the fourth straight loss games of Shenzhen Ruby.{{cite web|url=http://nf.nfdaily.cn/nfdsb/content/2010-09/19/content_16027431.htm |script-title=zh:深圳遭大逆转 客场2比3惜败山东鲁能 |language=Chinese |publisher=Southern Metropolis Daily |date=19 September 2010 |accessdate=30 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301004233/http://nf.nfdaily.cn/nfdsb/content/2010-09/19/content_16027431.htm |archivedate=1 March 2012}}

He finished his first season in China with Shenzhen Ruby as 13th place in the league.{{cite web | url = http://cnsoccer.titan24.com/csldata/score.html | script-title = zh:2010中超联赛第30轮积分榜 | language = Chinese | publisher = Chinese Super League | date = 6 November 2010 | accessdate = 30 September 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110824014014/http://cnsoccer.titan24.com/csldata/score.html | archive-date = 24 August 2011 | url-status = dead }} After the season, Nägelein was handed shirt number 7, and was chosen as the regular start-up player of the team by new coach Philippe Troussier.{{cite web|url=http://3g.nddaily.com/t2/news/detail.aspx?nid=652044&sid=118&sec=nd96 |script-title=zh:重构阵容"白巫"不留情 |language=Chinese |publisher=Southern Metropolis Daily |date=15 March 2011 |accessdate=30 September 2012 }}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Troussier tried to let him play as centre back in the new season. Lamentably, Shenzhen would not have a good start in the 2011 Chinese Super League, suffering five straight losses, and the worst start ever since the club was founded.{{cite web | url = http://soccer.goalchina.net/zqb/2011-05-09/本期全版.pdf | script-title=zh:打实德才是联赛正式开始 | language = Chinese | publisher = GoalChina | date = 9 May 2011 | page = 8}}{{Dead link|date=September 2012}} On 8 May 2011, Nägelein failed passing the ball in the 68th minute of the match against Guangzhou Evergrande, and caused Shenzhen to lose by a goal. After that, Nägelein's teammate Huang Fengtao criticised him for his mistakes on the Sina Blog.{{cite web | url = http://sports.sina.com.cn/j/2011-05-08/20125567232.shtml | script-title=zh:深圳悍将不满队友低级失误:能好好的摆正位置吗? | language = Chinese | publisher = Sina | date = 8 May 2011 | accessdate = 30 September 2012}} After that, Troussier replaced Nägelein in midfield and Shenzhen got their first point after the match against Dalian Shide on 15 May 2011.{{cite web | url = http://sports.sina.com.cn/s/2011-05-16/07501723539s.shtml | script-title=zh:深足终于破"零" | language = Chinese | publisher = Sina | date = 16 May 2011 | accessdate = 30 September 2012}}

Nägelein assisted Chris Killen to score in the 57th minute of the league match against Changchun Yatai, which impressed others{{cite web | url = http://sports.163.com/11/0706/21/78AEIS5E00051C89.html | script-title=zh:中超-基伦破门多利梅开二度 深圳1–2长春两连败 | language = Chinese | publisher = NetEase | date = 6 July 2011 | accessdate = 30 September 2012}} but he became mainly used as a substitute later in the season, because Nägelein has been injured and Shenzhen had contracted Ronald Rivero in the summer.{{cite web | url = http://sports.163.com/11/0731/23/7AAVOQHA00051C89.html | script-title=zh:零封梅西铁卫首秀惊艳 里维罗已成深足保级利器 | language = Chinese | publisher = NetEase | date = 31 July 2011 | accessdate = 30 September 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://nf.nfdaily.cn/nfdsb/content/2011-09/17/content_30038518.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917115012/http://nf.nfdaily.cn/nfdsb/content/2011-09/17/content_30038518.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 September 2011 |script-title=zh:深足艰难爬坡保级困局中 特鲁西埃的自我解读 |language=Chinese |publisher=Southern Metropolis Daily |date=17 September 2011 |accessdate=30 September 2012 }} Nägelein went back to the field on 2 November 2011, but Shenzhen had regulated the previous week.{{cite web | url = http://sports.sina.com.cn/j/2011-11-02/17295813264.shtml | script-title=zh:张文钊姆巴米建功基伦破门 收官战长春2比1胜深圳 | language = Chinese | publisher = Sina | date = 2 November 2011 | accessdate = 30 September 2012}} He was released by Shenzhen at the end of 2011 league season.

Nägelein was signed by Hong Kong First Division League side Rangers in August 2012.{{cite web | url = http://www.metrohk.com.hk/pda/pda_detail.php?id=191914&selectedDate=2012-08-02&categoryID=all | script-title=zh:流浪聶凌峰合作好事近 | language = Chinese | publisher = Metropolis Daily | date = 2 August 2012 | accessdate = 12 February 2013}} However, Nägelein broke his leg after a terrible tackle by Chan Pak Hang in a league match against Sun Pegasus on 8 September 2012.{{cite web | url = http://www.hkfa.com/en/match_result.php?match_date=2012-09-08&match_id=11209 | title = Match Results: Sun Pegasus 1:2 BC Rangers | language = Chinese | publisher = Hong Kong Football Association | date = 8 September 2012 | accessdate = 12 February 2013}}{{cite web | url = http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/sports/art/20120912/18013953 | script-title=zh:流浪聶凌峰唞兩個半月 | language = Chinese | publisher = Apple Daily | date = 12 September 2012 | accessdate = 12 February 2013}} He had three-month leave for treatments and recovering training in Nuremberg, Germany.{{cite web|url=http://hk.sports.yahoo.com/news/%E8%81%B6%E5%87%8C%E5%B3%B0-%E9%B3%A5%E5%80%A6%E7%9F%A5%E9%82%84-211024610--spt.html |script-title=zh:聶凌峰 鳥倦知還 |language=Chinese |publisher=Ming Pao |date=5 January 2013 |accessdate=12 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109044616/http://hk.sports.yahoo.com/news/%E8%81%B6%E5%87%8C%E5%B3%B0-%E9%B3%A5%E5%80%A6%E7%9F%A5%E9%82%84-211024610--spt.html |archivedate=9 January 2013}} The contract with Rangers ended in the end of January and Nägelein has become free agent player again.

On 6 July 2013, Nägelein signed a contract with China League One side Guizhou Zhicheng,{{cite web|url=http://www.gzzcclub.com/html/2013/07/09/124552_1381.html |script-title=zh:香港球员聂凌峰正式签约贵州智诚 |language=Chinese |publisher=Guizhou Zhicheng |date=9 July 2013 |accessdate=9 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927043508/http://www.gzzcclub.com/html/2013/07/09/124552_1381.html |archivedate=27 September 2013}} from where he transferred to China League One side Hunan Billows on 27 February 2014.[http://www.hnxiangtao.com/shownews.aspx?nID=1174 湖南湘涛最新引援消息] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222171953/http://www.hnxiangtao.com/ShowNews.aspx?nID=1174 |date=22 December 2014 }} at hnxiangtao.com 27 February 2014 Retrieved 2014-02-27{{in lang|zh}} In 2015, he went back to Hong Kong, joining Eastern this time, with whom he won the Senior Challenge Shield and the Premier League in 2016. He was released by Eastern in summer 2016 when his contract expired.

File:2013 Andy Nagealain HKG.jpg against United Arab Emirates on 15 October 2013.]]

In principle, Nägelein can represent either the Germany or Hong Kong national teams because he has both German citizenship and right of abode in Hong Kong.{{cite web|url=http://www.takungpao.com/news/10/03/03/WF-1222272.htm |script-title=zh:聶凌峰投中超港足總擬跟進 |language=Chinese |publisher=Ta Kung Pao |date=3 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310055108/http://www.takungpao.com/news/10/03/03/WF-1222272.htm |archivedate=10 March 2010 }} However, Nägelein controversially failed in his application for a Hong Kong passport due to his German citizenship, even he has the right by Hong Kong Basic Law since he was born in Hong Kong to a Hong Kong Chinese mother.{{cite web | url = http://www.hkdailynews.com.hk/sports.php?id=18533 | script-title = zh:變節風潮殺到 | language = Chinese | publisher = Hong Kong Daily News | date = 28 September 2011 | accessdate = 30 September 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

After Nägelein returned to the Far East, Hong Kong coach Tsang Wai Chung told media he will call Nägelein for the team but Tsang did not select Nägelein for the training session before the 2010–11 season in Hong Kong.{{cite web|url=http://www.takungpao.com.hk/news/10/07/24/WF-1288868.htm |script-title=zh:香港足隊公布31人長期集訓] |language=Chinese |publisher=Ta Kung Pao |date=24 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719004551/http://www.takungpao.com.hk/news/10/07/24/WF-1288868.htm |archivedate=19 July 2011 }} Tsang explained that some players would be called up during the season, but Nägelein was not chosen by Tsang for any training session in the season.

Under FIFA eligibility rules, Nägelein could also play for the Chinese national team after a two-year Chinese Super League career for his Hong Kong passport. Nägelein recommended himself via his agent to Chinese Football Association in 2010, but the association told him that China team would not select him for any match.{{cite web | url = http://sports.163.com/11/0120/13/6QRKGCJM00051C89.html | script-title=zh:港籍德国人自荐国足被拒 承认深足曾被警方调查 | language = Chinese | publisher = NetEase | date = 20 January 2011 | accessdate = 30 September 2012}}

On 2 August 2013, the Hong Kong national team included Nägelein in the 29-man training squad for two international friendlies against Myanmar and Singapore in September 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hkfa.com/includes_files/board_details.php?news_id=10772|date=2 August 2013|title=Hong Kong Senior Representative Team Squad International Friendly Matches|publisher=hkfa.com}} On 3 October 2013, Nägelein did break into the 23-man final squad for 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification match against United Arab Emirates.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hkfa.com/news_details/11031|date=3 October 2013|title=Hong Kong Senior Representative Team Final Squad|publisher=hkfa.com|access-date=6 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016053434/http://www.hkfa.com/news_details/11031|archive-date=16 October 2013|url-status=dead}} He made his international debut for Hong Kong against United Arab Emirates on 15 October 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/afc-asian-cup-schedule-a-results.html?fixtureid=6970&stageid=273&tMode=H&view=ajax&show=matchsummary|date=15 October 2013|title=Hong Kong 0-4 UAE match summary|publisher=afc.com}}

The surname of Nägelein's mother is Chan ({{zh|t=陳}}), but his Cantonese surname is Nip ({{zh|t=聶}}), which is based on the pronunciation of his father's surname Nägelein.{{cite web | url = http://soccer.sina.com.hk/cgi-bin/nw/show.cgi/93/2/1/1936183/1.html | script-title=zh:聶凌峰為中國血統而驕傲 他串通深足四援搞「洋謀」 | language = Chinese| publisher = Sina | date = 15 April 2010 | accessdate = 30 September 2012}} And his Chinese given name Ling Fung ({{zh|t=凌峰}}) is the same with his grandfather's name. Nägelein met his girlfriend in Nuremberg since he studied at business college for a short time when he was 18 years old. He now lives in Hong Kong.

Nägelein speaks both German and English. Although his mother is Hongkongese prior to playing for Shenzhen Ruby, he did not speak Cantonese and Mandarin. While living in Shenzhen, his aunt taught him Cantonese, and his former teammate Tiago Jorge Honório taught him Mandarin.

{{Updated|19 March 2016}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{WorldFootball.net|andy-naegelein}}
• {{Soccerway|andy-nagelein/38165}}
• {{kicker|andreas-naegelein}}
• {{Fussballdaten|naegeleinandy}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061235/http://www.hkfa.com/en/player_view.php?player_id=11785 Andy Nägelein] at HKFA

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nagelein, Andy}}

Category:1981 births

Category:Living people

Category:Hong Kong men's footballers

Category:Hong Kong men's international footballers

Category:German men's footballers

Category:German expatriate men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:2. Bundesliga players

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Category:21st-century German sportsmen