Just days after signing former Lazio striker Fabio Vignaroli on a six-month contract ahead of the Asian Champions League, the Newcastle Jets have added former Sydney FC player Nikolas Tsattalios to their list on a similar deal.
Tsattalios created headlines when he became the youngest Hyundai A-League debutant aged 17 years 225 days against Perth Glory in Round 8 of the 2007/08 season.
Tsattalios played six games for the Sky Blues but was overlooked for a new contract for next season.
The gifted teenager also appeared for Sydney FC in the AFC Champions League 2007 competition, giving him valuable experience ahead of the Jets’ maiden journey into Asia’s most prestigious club competition.
The Jets open their Champions League campaign on Tuesday March 10 away to Chinese club Beijing Guoan.
A product of the New South Wales Institute of Sport football program, Tsattalios offers the Jets a valuable left-footed option within the squad.
“Nik is a very talented young player and someone that we are very pleased to have at our club,” Newcastle CEO John Tsatsimas said.
“He is still of course very youthful and has plenty of time as a footballer ahead of him, so we’re happy to have the chance to see him progress here.”
“Our coaching staff in Gary van Egmond and Mark Jones have a fabulous record of really developing quality young talent and bringing out the best in young players. We’re certain that Nik will go from strength to strength in his time in Newcastle.”
Tsattalios’ signing comes hot on the heels of that of 32-year-old Vignaroli, who made nine appearances for Lazio last season and has also played for Bologna and Parma in Italy.
