Melbourne City FC’s Tasmanian product Nathaniel Atkinson has signed a contract extension which will see the versatile teenager remain at the club until the end of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season.
Atkinson, 18, has signed a two-year deal with City after emerging as a key contributor for City’s A-League team, having first developed through the Club’s youth system over the past two and a half seasons.
Earning a senior debut against Central Coast Mariners in early December, Atkinson has featured in six consecutive matches, registering a series of impressive performances in City Blue.
The teenager’s impact has been recognized by City fans, with Atkinson voted as the Club’s Player of the Month for December on Thursday.
Commenting on Atkinson’s re-signing, Head Coach Warren Joyce said:
“Nathaniel has shown determination and character to apply himself well at training and break into the first team. He’s a player I have been impressed by since I first came to the Club and he’s worked hard, made sacrifices and demonstrated versatility to play a variety of roles for the senior team. He is a prospect that we need to nurture and we want to ensure he has the opportunity to develop for the future in a good environment.”
Commenting on his signing as a senior player, Atkinson said;
“It’s an honour to extend my contract with Melbourne City FC. My first aim was to play for a professional Club, and now to have signed a senior deal is a dream come true, particularly at such a great football club. I appreciate the opportunity the coaching staff have given me; hopefully I can continue to repay them with positive performances.”
Originally from Tasmania, Atkinson started playing football for Launceston-based club Riverside Olympic. He eventually joined Tasmania’s National Training Centre (NTC), and was scouted by Melbourne City FC Youth coaches in 2015.
Atkinson has become the first player to graduate from John Fawkner College through the Melbourne City College of Football program, where he recently completed Year 12, to a senior contract.
