Macarthur FC have signed goalkeeper Danijel Nizic, one of Sydney United 58’s heroes en route to the 2022 Australia Cup final, on a one-year-deal.
The 28-year-old shot-stopper joins the club after three successful seasons with the NPL New South Wales outfit.
Nizic helped Sydney United win the 2020 title and then guide the club to a historic place in last year’s Australia Cup decider, as they became the first NPL outfit to reach the final in the tournament’s history.
The experienced keeper was enormous in their penalty shootout victory over Western United in the Round of 16, before putting in yet another heroic performance in their semi-final win against Brisbane Roar – saving a Jay O’Shea penalty.
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He went on to start the decider against the Bulls, where they lost 2-0 at CommBank Stadium.
“Danijel has been a standout in the NPL NSW for the past three seasons and has worked hard to get this opportunity. He has proven his ability to get here and he is a player we believe can challenge here at the Bulls,” Bulls head coach Mile Sterjovski said.
Nizic previously played in the Isuzu UTE A-League for Western Sydney Wanderers, and had spells in England with Morecambe, Crewe Alexandra, Chorley and Workington after coming through the youth academy of Premier League side Burnley.
“I want to thank the club for giving me this opportunity, I am really excited to be here,” Nizic said.
“I have worked hard for three years to have this opportunity. I am looking forward to getting to work and giving everything for this club and have a successful season.”
His arrival bolsters the Bulls’ keeping stocks going into the new season, competing for the number one guernsey alongside Polish keeper Filip Kurto and youngster Alexander Robinson.
Nizic is the club’s sixth off-season signing, joining Clayton Lewis (Wellington Phoenix), Matthew Jurman (Newcastle Jets), Raphael Borges Rodrigues (Melbourne City), Kristian Popovic (NK Međimurje) and Valerie Germain (Montpellier).
Sterjovski’s side return to action next Monday night, when they take on Campbelltown City in the Australia Cup Round of 32.