The Newcastle Jets have re-signed attacking midfielder Mitch Cooper until the end of the 2014/15 A-League season.
The Newcastle Jets have re-signed attacking midfielder Mitch Cooper until the end of the 2014/15 A-League season.
Cooper, who has been involved with the Australian national team at under-17 and under-20 level, made five A-League appearances for the Jets in 2012/13 after forcing his way into the side towards the back end of the season.
Jets CEO Robbie Middleby said the Club was determined to show faith in the 18-year-old, who is on the road to recovery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.
“The Club realises that Mitch has a big future ahead of him and he-s a major part of our plans going forward,” Middleby said.
“If it wasn-t for his injury, he probably would have been part of the Young Socceroos squad that competed at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.
“We-re happy to commit to him for another season and we-re confident he-ll return from his injury setback bigger and better than before.”
Cooper said he was delighted to have extended his stay in Newcastle for another season and was grateful for the confidence shown in him by the Club-s coaching staff and management.
“I really enjoyed my first season with the Jets and I feel like I-ve got much more to offer, so getting the chance to stay in Newcastle is great,” Cooper said.
“Robbie (Middleby) and Gary (van Egmond) have shown faith in me and that-s one of the biggest things you look for as a young player.
“I want to repay that faith by getting back fit and doing my best to help this Club.
“Unfortunately I-m injured at the moment, but everything happens for a reason.
“I-ve just got to keep my head up and keep pushing forward and come out stronger at the end of it.”