Hyundai A-League champions Melbourne Victory have begun the process of keeping the core of their squad together with the re-signing of midfielder Nick Ward for two more years.
After playing for Perth Glory and taking out the Rising Star Award, Ward then headed overseas to play for Queens Park Rangers but was lured back to Australia and the A-League midway through the 2007/08 campaign by the Victory.
Ward then signed on as Victory’s youth marquee player for 2008/09 but had come out of contract and was also no longer eligible to fill that youth role because he has since turned 23.
But having spent time at the Glory and overseas, Ward is delighted to agree terms to remain with the club as he looks for further success in coming seasons and to put behind him the injury woes that have held him back at times.
“It’s exciting to secure my future here in Melbourne after such a successful season,” Ward said. “I’m really happy to be part of this team, playing alongside such good players. Hopefully we can repeat our efforts next season and also do well in the AFC Champions League.”
“I didn’t want to go anywhere else in Australia, Melbourne Victory is the club I want to be at. Now that my future is here I can do further work with the medical staff and get myself even stronger moving forward.”
Football Operations Manager Gary Cole will now turn his attention to trying to secure the likes of Kevin Muscat, Carlos Hernandez and Michael Theoklitos, who has previously expressed an ambition to head overseas.
“It’s fantastic that we’ve reached an agreement with Nick in what is a great signing for everyone involved,” Cole said. “Nick firmly established himself in the team after overcoming his injury problems and was an important part of our successful run to the Premiers’ Plate and Champions Trophy.”
“Nick’s body is now in the best shape it’s ever been, which is also a credit to the hard-working sports science, sports medicine and strength and conditioning elements of the club.”
