Bhubaneswar: Germany's Florian Fuchs, one of the world's most lethal strikers, wants to play in the cash-rich Hockey India League once he finishes his studies next year.
Germany is represented in the HIL by only three players -- Moritz Furste, Oskar Deecke and goalkeeper Nicolas Jacobi.
Like any hockey player, Fuchs, a member of Germany's gold medal winning team in 2012 and who also featured in the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi, too aspires to play in the high-profile league.
"I want to play (in HIL). The tournament is great for our sport as it not only provides players opportunity to earn money but also play against the best of the world. But right now I am kind of very busy," the talented striker told PTI on the sidelines of the ongoing Hero Champions Trophy hockey tournament at the Kalinga Stadium here.
"I am looking forward to playing in HIL. I am studying right now so I am busy. I am finishing my studies next year and after that I am planning to come over to India to play in HIL," Fuchs said about the reason behind his decision to not feature in HIL players auctions in its first two editions and also the upcoming third season.
Fuchs is studying economics and like most Germans is also working side by side.
"It's a duel system in Germany where you have to work and study at the same time," he said.
Given his reputation and talent, most of the teams will be desperate to avail his services once he makes himself available for HIL.
Inspired by his father, Fuchs started playing hockey for Germany's Uhlenhorster Hockey Club at the tender age of five and steadily began to rise in Germany's Bundesliga.
"My father is my inspiration. They all played hockey. In Germany there is a tradition to follow family profession. My grandfather played hockey, then my father played and now that's the same with me," he said.
Besides hockey Fuchs also loves to play basketball and soccer.
