Perth goalkeeper Tando Velaphi has signed a new two-year contract with the club that will see him remain a Glory player until at least the end of the 2010/11 season.
The 21-year-old was a member of the Olyroos side that qualified and participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Velaphi said the desire to see Glory return to the pinnacle of football in Australia was a driving force in his decision to remain in WA.
“The club definitely has a bright future and there is a lot more to achieve here and I want to be around during that period,” Velaphi said.
“I grew up supporting the Glory and to be part of it has been fantastic and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop my game and contributing to the success of the club into the future.”
Velaphi has started the past five matches for the Glory, but he knows he must continue to be on top of his game if he is to keep fellow keepers Frank Juric and Jason Petkovic out of the No.1 spot.
“I’ve got a lot to improve on and work on but I’m enjoying my opportunity to play and I’ll push myself to get better and I know the other guys are doing the same and that will only benefit the team,” he said.
“I aspire to play at the highest level I can and there is no better place to be developing my game than here in Australia with the Glory.”
Glory coach Dave Mitchell said Velaphi’s signature is a significant step for Perth that will provide a foundation from which the club can build a successful team.
“It’s great to have ‘Tando’ at the club for another two years. He is one of the young goalkeepers in the league that has produced and is gaining more and more confidence as the weeks go by. He is a genuine talent,” Mitchell said.
“I’ve always been of the opinion that you build from the back so we’ve secured a great young goal keeper and now we look across the defence, midfield and up front as we retain and recruit players for success in the years ahead.”
Perth is currently in last place on the Hyundai A-League table, but a win this week against the Central Coast Mariners will have it back in contention for a top-four spot.
