The Newcastle Jets have lured former Sydney FC midfielder Ruben Zadkovich back from England on a three-year contract.
The signing comes less than a week after New Zealand international Jeremy Brockie penned a two-year deal with the 2007/08 Hyundai A-League champions.
Zadkovich, 23, comes to the Hunter-based club after completing a two-year stint with English Football League Championship side Derby County, where injury reduced his playing time.
Before that, the one-time Socceroo played with Sydney FC, where he developed a reputation as versatile and dynamic.
Having initially risen through the ranks of English clubs Queens Park Rangers and Notts County as a teenager, Zadkovich represented Australia extensively at both U-20 and U-23 levels.
He scored the nation’s only goal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
On Tuesday, though, the laid-back Wollongong-born player revealed he was simply delighted to return to the Hyundai A-League.
“It was a good opportunity here. It’s a good, solid team here and it’s a great place, Newcastle, and I’ve worked with Branko before so I know what to expect, so I’m really happy to be here,” he said.
“It’s just good to have that security to put pen to paper with a team that has been doing very well. They had a good season last year and I feel like I can add something, so I’m looking forward to joining the team for as long as possible.”
“I’ve gained a lot (being overseas), it’s a different ball game over there, very competitive, for the fans it’s more like a religion over there, but I learned a lot and played with a lot of good players. Hopefully I can bring some of that experience back here,” he said.
Zadkovich said he still harboured ambitions of playing for Australia again, but for the time being was content to be back playing regularly in the Hyundai A-League.
“I had a small taste of being in Socceroo camps and playing in that game against China in Sydney, and that was a brilliant experience. So I definitely have goals to get back into that squad but for now it’s just one step at a time and focusing on being here at Newcastle.”
