Heath Pearce has waited a long time for this chance, and I do mean looooooooong. The US international joins Hansa Rostock as they return to the Bundesliga after two seasons below, and it has been a long road to the German top flight for both.

Over the past year, the California native has drawn interest from more than dozen teams from six countries, including AEK Athens, Bayer Leverkusen, FC Utrecht, Lens and Watford. He seemed to be headed away from Danish side FC Nordsjælland last summer, then narrowly missed out on a pair of moves in January.

Rumours swirled often around Pearce for months on end, and he'll admit it became tiring, but the jump to Hansa has put an extra hop in the step of a guy who wasn't lacking for hop to begin with. Indeed, all is well in Rostock: coach Frank Pagelsdorf has gradually tipped hand during the preseason that the American is his man at left back, and a squad laden with Bundesliga veterans is taking him in like a new brother.

"I think I am fitting in well," Pearce told American Soccer Daily. "It's a great group of guys and they have been very open and welcoming to me."

The 22-year old was grabbed on a free transfer, and signed to a three-year deal earlier this month. He arrived to Germany with a 2006 SAS Liga Defender of the Year prize, and more importantly, a tactical basis for getting with Pagelsdorf's program quickly - always key when raising class to a tougher league.

"(My time at) FC Nordsjælland has really helped me prepare for this level," asserted Pearce, who worked 80 league contests for the Farum Park boys.

"Morten Weighort's philosophies and tactics are very similar to what my job will be here. I feel I have been able to get better in each training and develop more as a player."

Of course, Pearce made it known he wanted to play Eredivisie ball. He even went so far to name Ajax as his dream club because of their cavalier 10-man attack style. Amsterdam ArenA scouts did, in fact, take note of his play in Denmark last year, but they have one Urby Emanuelson entrenched at left back for the time being.

While playing in the Bundesliga certainly can't hurt his exposure across borders, the new blue #3 shirt is busy growing comfy in Rostock. He will still be expected to raid the flank, tackle cleanly on the fly and whip in bended crosses - other opportunities can wait because he now has Germany to master.

A fast, firm grasp on his role has seen the confident speedster start each of the last three preseason friendlies, but he isn't assuming his name in ink every week just yet. Cracked Pearce: "In terms of stamping my name on the spot, you would have to ask the coach!"

While not the only new kid in town (Canadian attacker Ryan Gyaki and Osnabrück striker Addy-Waku Menga are also among the summer signings), the former Portland Pilot reports that he is spending plenty of time listening to the Bundesliga-hardened players at his disposal in training everyday.

Midfield ace René Rydlewicz has worked a dozen top flight seasons in Germany, and the Ostseestädters also boast a trio of former Hamburg teammates: Stefan Beinlich, Christian Rahn and keeper Stefan Wächter. Rahn ( an up-and-coming Germany hotshot before injuries robbed him of Euro2004 involvement, some of his speed and a place with hometown club HSV) is expected to be Pearce's left side running mate.

"Each day, I am learning a lot from the veterans," he offered. "They have the ability to see how the game needs to be played and where all players need to be on the field... the difference between a rolling pass and bouncing pass, etc. They help with all the small stuff."

He will need the small stuff, the big stuff and all stuff in between when Hansa open the 2007/08 season with a visit to Bayern Munich on August 11th. Some rookies may get nervous, but not this one. Anybody who's followed the affable and talkative left back over the last few years knows he's always game for a challenge.

"I couldn't ask for a better start," gushed Pearce. "It will be an experience in itself, something I will never forget. I cant wait to get on the field with my teammates and see what we are made of in game one."

Should he start against FC Hollywood on opening day, his opposite is likely to be France phenom Franck Ribéry, a World Cup 2006 standout who has just arrived from Olympique Marseille for a club record fee of €26 million. Pearce has already began studying video of the slippery winger, and is planning to give no quarter.

"He is definitely tough to mark," he stated. "Guys like that, you gotta close them quick, but respect them because they are gonna do their thing. You just gotta make it hard for them."

And so the cards are dealt: the guy sometimes accused by US National Team fans of being overly cocky finally has his move up, his chance to show he really can excel in the big time and become the clear choice for World Cup 2010. Seemingly stuck behind Chivas USA man Jonathan Bornstein for the first seven months of the Bob Bradley era, he now can raise the ante.

As the old gambling saying goes, it's time to put up or shut up - and you just know Heath Pearce wouldn't have it any other way.