Victor Bychkov, BC Khimki General Manager:

— At a recent press conference, we talked that our transfer campaign is almost complete, but another player may appear for the position of the fourth number. We've been looking for a suitable candidate and now we are pleased to announce that Australian Matt Nielsen joins our team. He is a confident, powerful, skilled basketball player, who will help to cement defense and will be dangerous in the attack. Matthew will join us just for a second or third stage of preseason preparations, because he is involved in the Australian national team during the qualifying games for the upcoming summer Olympics-2012 against New Zealand.

Rimas Kurtinaitis, BC Khimki Head Coach:

— Matthew is a very experienced player, he successfully worked in a successful clubs with strong coaches. Nielsen is a powerful but agile forward. An important factor of his invitation is his personal qualities. I suppose that the presence of an experienced, intelligent basketball player influences only in a positive way atmosphere in the team.

Matthew "Matt" Peter Nielsen

Born: February 2, 1978
Height: 209 cm
Position: power forward
Nationality: Australia

CAREER

Teams played:

1996-2004 — Sydney Kings (Australia),
2004-2005 — PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece),
2005-2008 — Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania),
2008-2010 — Valencia (Spain),
2010-2011 — Olympiacos Piraeus (Greece),
Since 2011 — BC Khimki

Achievements:

1997 — Australasian League Rookie of the Year,
2004 — Australasian League Final MVP,
2006 — Lithuanian championship winner with Lietuvos Rytas,
2006, 2007 — Winner of Baltic League,
2007 — Lithuanian Basketball League All-Star,
2010 — Eurocup winner, Eurocup Finals MVP

Player of Australian national team

2001 – Goodwill Games winner,
2004, 2008 – Olympic Games participant,
2005 – Oceania championship winner,
2010 — World championship participant