Teenager Dimitri Petratos has become the latest young star to pledge their future to Sydney FC, re-signing with the Hyundai A-League club for a further two seasons on Thursday.
The 18-year-old is currently on a youth contract with the club but has been a leading light for the first team this season playing 12 games for the defending champions.
Petratos, who scored a sensational maiden goal in the club’s 2-0 win over the Gold Coast last weekend, joins fellow youngsters Terry Antonis (17), Rhyan Grant (19), Kofi Danning (19), Sebastian Ryall (21) and Scott Jamieson (22) as young talent tied to the club for coming seasons.
“I always wanted to play for Sydney FC. It’s happened very fast as well I didn’t expect it to happen that fast,” Petratos said on Thursday.
“I’m very excited and very happy.”
“I’ve worked very hard for this day to come and I’m very grateful to get the chance.”
Petratos, who was a member of the Young Socceroos squad that finished second at last year’s Asian Under-19 Championships, said he was indebted to coach Vitezslav Lavicka for showing confidence in him at such a young age.
“He’s given me a lot of faith and he’s given me the chance and I’ve taken it and I’m very grateful for that,” he said.
“He’s taught me a lot, tells me to keep my head and keep working hard.”
While his own future at the club is still uncertain, Lavicka is excited about the future of the Sky Blues with the quality of young talent emerging from the club.
The under-fire boss admitted he has had to use Petratos more than he would have liked this season due to the club’s struggles but isn’t surprised he has handled himself as well as he has.
“This season for us has been very difficult … a lot different than last one,” Lavicka said ahead of the club’s blockbuster against the Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.
“We’ve had many troubles this season but we identified (Petratos) and other young players and he’s shown his quality in helping us to play better football this season.”
“It wasn’t a hard decision to re-sign him) because we know Dimi’s quality.”
“Last season he trained with us when he played for the Sydney FC youth team but he’s developed very well.”
