Sydney FC has signed attacking midfielder Max Burgess for the A-League 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, with the Bondi-born youngster set to join the Sky Blues squad for pre-season at the start of August.
Burgess returns to Sydney FC having made his A-League debut at the club on the opening day of the 2014/15 season, when the Sky Blues drew 1-1 with the David Villa-inspired Melbourne City.
Burgess played one other game in Sky Blue, scoring in a 2-0 FFA Cup win away to Sorrento FC in Western Australia, before his career took him to Portuguese second division side União.
From Portugal he returned to New South Wales becoming an instrumental player in Sydney Olympic’s Premiership and Championship double in 2018, earning him a move back to the A-League where he had successful seasons at Wellington Phoenix and Western United.
The 26-year old is excited to be returning to his boyhood club for the next two seasons.
“I can’t wait to get started,” he said. “I’m itching to get back to training with the boys and helping us win more trophies.
“Sydney FC is the club I supported as a boy and I’m delighted that I will get the chance to pull on the sky blue shirt again.
“I know that Sydney FC is seen as the benchmark and this club has high standards and expectations, so I am determined to ensure I meet those expectations.”
Burgess was also part of Sydney FC’s Championship winning National Youth League squads in 2014 under current A-League Head Coach Steve Corica, and in 2016 under current A-League Assistant Coach Rob Stanton.
Corica says he expects Burgess to improve and develop at Sydney FC.
“Max has shown the promise he always had as a youngster in recent seasons and has developed into a very good A-League player,” he said.
“I’d like to see Max go onto the next level at Sydney FC and become one of the lynchpins of our squad in the years ahead.
“He’s at the right age to achieve that and he will get all the support we can give him.”
Burgess is the first new signing for the Sky Blues ahead of the A-League 2020/21 season.
Sydney FC has 19 contracted players.
Sydney FC Contracted A-League Squad 2021/22 Season
1. ANDREW REDMAYNE
3. BENJAMIN WARLAND
7. MICHAEL ZULLO
8. PAULO RETRE
10. MILOS NINKOVIC
11. KOSTA BARBAROUSES
16. JOEL KING
17. ANTHONY CACERES
18. LUKE IVANOVIC
21. HARRY VAN DER SAAG
23. RHYAN GRANT
25. CALLUM TALBOT
26. LUKE BRATTAN
28. CALEM NIEUWENHOF
29. ANTON MLINARIC
30. ADAM PAVLESIC (GK)
33. PATRICK WOOD
99. ADAM LE FONDRE
TBC. MAX BURGESS
