New Western Sydney Wanderers signing Matt Jurman says he is returning to the Hyundai A-League a better player and says anything less than immediate success would be a disaster.
Jurman, a former Sydney FC defender – has lit the Sydney Derby fuse by inking a one-year deal with the Wanderers for the 2019/20 Season.
The 29-year-old returns to the Hyundai A-League after almost three years playing in Asia, following stints in Korea Republic with Suwon Bluewings and Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad.
“I had a great experience and enjoyed playing in Korea and Saudi Arabia,” Jurman told the Wanderers’ official website.
“To learn about different cultures and the different style of football was fantastic. The football was top level.
“It helped me to be better as a person and a footballer.”
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And the Caltex Socceroos defender hopes to use that experience to help make Markus Babbel’s squad genuine title challengers this season.
After two years without finals football, there is growing optimism at the club after some excellent new signings, as well as the return to their spiritual home at Parramatta, Bankwest Stadium.
“I always want to win and we need to win because anything less would be a disaster,” Jurman declared.
“We have a good squad and we can do some damage.
“I want to win and I’m hoping that the team that Markus has put together this season is one that can do well and get to the top."
.@matthew_jurman on signing with the Red & Black: https://t.co/Uigkc5YJHi #WSW pic.twitter.com/nq9Z7uQG8B
— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) September 6, 2019
“I attended a game at Bankwest a little while ago and it was awesome and to play there with the Wanderers with my family and friends watching and in front of the Wanderers fans is going to be an awesome experience,” he added.
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“I grew up in Western Sydney from about 13 years of age so this has been a long time coming.”
Jurman could make his first appearance for the Wanderers in their FFA Cup 2019 Quarter Final against Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Wednesday, September 18.
