CHARLIE ADAM has admitted it will be a "special feeling" to play for Dundee in Julian Speroni's testimonial on Tuesday night.
The Stoke City midfielder, who scored in his side's 6-1 thumping of Liverpool on Sunday, has been granted permission to line up for his hometown team again a Crystal Palace select at Selhurst Park. Adam grew up a Dundee fan and was part of their youth set-up prior to signing for Rangers aged 17, a period when Speroni was the first-choice goalkeeper at Dens Park.
The Argentinian moved to Palace from Dundee in 2004 and is now being rewarded with this testimonial to mark his 11 years' service with the London club. Adam admitted it was a thrill to be asked to play in the game.
"I grew up as a Dundee fan and been to so many big games," he said. "When we played them here at Stoke earlier this season I had a chat with Julian and he then asked me to play. I've got a lot of friends going to the game so it should be good. I'm not going to say I'm going to end my career at Dundee or anything like that but to pull on that shirt will be a special feeling."
Sunday's win over Liverpool concluded Adam's seventh season in English football following earlier spells at Blackpool and the Anfield club. He reveals he would consider playing abroad at some point in his career but, with a year left on his Stoke contract, is happy staying where he is for the time being.
"My time in England has certainly gone in quickly," he added. "But I've loved it down here. I'm still living near Blackpool in the area I moved to when I first came down. I'm settled there with my wife, and we had the baby last year as well. When you're settled off the pitch - and I am - then it's great and it lets you just get on with the football.
"I've got a year to go on my deal and then it's up to the club to make a decision on what happens after that. I want to stay if I can but it's their decision. My performances on the pitch will dictate what happens next.
"Eventually I'd maybe one day like to play abroad. It's not something I'm desperate to happen right now but if there was an opportunity there you'd have to think about it. At the moment playing in the Premier League is the pull for everybody. I don't want to give that up as I've worked really hard to get here. I feel I could play here for a number of years yet."
The 29 year-old also revealed he has designs on one day becoming a manager. "I'd like to coach in future. I'll get this summer out the way and then next year I'll start trying to get my badges. That's something I think I'll enjoy. I feel like I want to do that. You look at Gary Caldwell at 33 - one day you're playing and the next you're managing. You don't know what's around the corner."
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