After a fortnight of ‘cleaning house’ the Newcastle Jets have announced they have re-signed local product Jobe Wheelhouse and young defender Mario Simic.
The Jets have had a major shake-up to their squad over the past couple of weeks releasing six players including veteran Sasho Petrovski, striker Sean Rooney, midfielders Kaz Patafta and Brodie Mooy plus overseas imports Zhang Shuo and Marcello Fiorentini, while Adam D’Apuzzo and goalkeeper Neil Young have left club.
D’Apuzzo has been linked to Sydney FC while Young, who was offered a one-year deal at the Jets, has returned home to Western Australia to sign a two-year deal with Perth Glory.
The Jets recently announced a major coup in signing current Socceroo Jason Culina on a three-year deal and added to it by retaining the services of Wheelhouse, a product of the Newcastle football system, for two seasons.
While Simic, who has been a staple of the Jets Youth Team for the past two years before earning a call-up to the A-League for the last four games of the season has signed a one-year deal with the Newcastle club.
“I am really happy to have this locked away and know that for the next two seasons I am going to be playing my part in this exciting time for the Jets,” Wheelhouse said this week.
“Being from Newcastle, it is a great honour to be able to represent my city at the highest level.”
Bosnian-born Simic has been signed after showing plenty of potential with the squad filling in at left back when D’Apuzzo was injured.
“It is great to know that next season I have the opportunity to develop myself into an A-League player at the Newcastle Jets,” said Simic.
