Former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory defender Stefan Nigro has joined Central Coast Mariners ahead of the 2020/21 A-League campaign.
The 24-year-old, who became an A-League Champion with Victory in the 2017/18 A-League campaign, makes his stay on the Coast permanent after a successful trial spell leading into the club’s current pre-season regime.
Nigro will be eager to build on his 35 A-League appearances made at both the Roar and Victory combined in what he describes as a great opportunity for him in Gosford.
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“I’m really excited, I’m over the moon to be honest,” Nigro told the club website.
“It’s a great opportunity for me, I feel excited to be part of the club and I’ve loved my time here to date, I’ve been here for 4-5 weeks now and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
“I’ve got a fair bit of experience at this level; I’ve been part of a Championship winning team which is the biggest achievement in this league.
“It’s a joy to be back and I can’t wait to get started against [Newcastle Jets] on New Year’s Eve.”
Nigro continued: “there was an opportunity to come on trial, and I was really excited to take that and I came here, and to be offered a contract, that is what I came here for.
“I know a few of the boys up here, they were speaking very well of how the team was going in pre-season and I can’t wait to get cracking with the season.”
Western United establish two new teams ahead of 2021 National Premier League (NPL) Victoria season
Western United’s growth as a professional club continued on Wednesday afternoon, after the club announced it would enter one team in both the NPL3 and NPL3 Under 21 competitions in Victoria for the 2021 season.
Ante Moric, the current Assistant Coach of United’s A-League side, has been named both Head Coach of the senior NPL outfit and Head of Youth Football at the club.
The NPL squad will train at City Vista Reserve in Caroline Springs, with further NPL junior teams to be announced by the club ahead of the 2022 campaign.
Western United Chairman Jason Sourasis says the announcement reflects the club’s ambition to provide opportunities for footballers in the local area.
“Creating pathways and growing the game of football in the west is what Western United is all about,” Sourasis told the club website.
“We’re here to build a strong football club that provides opportunities for every footballer in the West.
“It was always fundamental to create a pathway for players that were born and reside in our region to one day strive to represent the Green and Black at the elite level.
“We are committed to nurturing local boys and girls with the potential to play A-League, W-League and beyond.
“We want to provide hope and opportunity for every kid that aspires to play professionally so that their football dreams can become reality.”
Excitement soars to new heights for Wales ahead of new season at new club
Western United attacker Lachlan Wales says he hasn’t been this excited for a new season of football since he was five years old, as his debut campaign for Western United beckons.
Wales spoke frankly to club media about both the strengths and inefficiencies of his game and his determination to improve his final-third product in a season which strong performances are vital to his chances of reaching Graham Arnold’s Australia U-23 squad playing in the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“I’m hoping to play as many games as I can, and really work on that end product,” Wales said.
“I think at times I’ve been a bit frustrating in my career, I’ve got a lot of talent and a lot of attributes that can play well in this game, it’s just putting that final touch, the final finish or final assist on top of my game.
“I’m looking to play as many games as I can here and hopefully make the Olympics squad at the end of the year.”
🗣️ "Probably the most excited I've been for a season since I was five years old." Lachie Wales is ready to rise up in green and black 👊 #RiseUp #WUFC pic.twitter.com/CJC1RJGKLV
— Western United FC (@wufcofficial) December 8, 2020
Wales continued: “You saw how hard [United] worked (last season), and definitely at the back end they found a really good rhythm and started winning, and winning, and winning.
“Once you have that winning culture, and they’ve got most of the same boys here, you just want to come in and fight for that spot and get in a winning team.
It’s probably the most excited I’ve been for a season since I was five years old.
