Sydney FC have confirmed that Socceroo Brett Emerton has signed a three-year deal to become the club’s marquee signing.
The 32-year-old returns to his home city after 11 years in Europe to headline the Sky Blues’ quest to regain the Hyundai A-League title they surrendered last year.
He has terminated his contract with English Premier League outfit Blackburn Rovers and will return to Australia after this weekend’s clash against Everton.
“This is an exciting opportunity for me,” Emerton said. “I’m a Sydney boy and I’m looking forward to representing the people of Sydney every week and playing in front of friends, family and Sydney football fans.”
“Football has been very good to me and I have always said I’d like to come back and play in the A-League while I still have something to offer and thanks to Sydney FC and Blackburn Rovers that opportunity has come about a bit earlier than I had thought.”
With 87 international appearances, Emerton is the second-most capped Australian behind Mark Schwarzer (90).
He becomes the second big-name player to join the Hyundai A-League following Harry Kewell’s decision to sign for Melbourne Victory last week.
Sydney FC vice chairman Scott Barlow said Emerton had been on the club’s radar for some time.
“The Sydney FC Board has for some time viewed the signing of Brett Emerton as a major priority. We have been fortunate that this has come to fruition a year earlier than we had anticipated after Brett requested, and was granted, a release from the last year of his contract with English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers,” he said.
“Brett is an incredible role model for all young footballers in Australia and his return to his home town of Sydney while he is still at the peak of his powers is a major coup for Sydney FC and the Hyundai A-League.”
“We are committed to delivering the highest quality football experience we can to our fans and today’s announcement is an important step towards this goal.”
