Sydney FC sign Sasa Ognenovski

Sydney FC has today completed the signing of Socceroos defender Sasa Ognenovski until the end of the season.

Sydney FC has today completed the signing of Socceroos defender Sasa Ognenovski until the end of the season.

The 2010 Asian Footballer Of The Year joins the Sky Blues as a free agent having left Qatari side Umm-Salal at the end of December, and will join his new team mates for training on Thursday.

“I-m delighted to be able to sign for Sydney FC,” said the 6 foot 5 centre half.

“It is always good when you are wanted by a big club and Sydney FC are an iconic club in Australian football. It will be an honour to pull on the sky blue shirt.”

Ognenovski returns to Australia after three years playing in South Korea with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, where he captained the club to the Asian Champions League title, and two years in Qatar with Umm Salal.

“I-m looking forward to the challenge of playing back in the Hyundai A-League and I know the standard and the quality of the league.

“Sydney FC is an exciting club and having followed the competition this year, I believe the team on its day can beat anyone.

“I want to play at a level to help the team progress into the Finals and hopefully we can do some damage when we get there.”

Sydney FC Head Coach Frank Farina was pleased to be able to add strength and depth to his back line at such a crucial point in the season.

“Sasa has a wealth of experience at international and club level and will bring us extra stability in the back four,” he said.

“He recently helped Australia qualify for the World Cup in Brazil and has also won the Asian Champions League and Asian Player of the Year, so we are bringing in real quality to back up what we already have in that position.

“Sasa demands success and is the type of player and character we want at this club.”

Ognenovski played his last game for Umm Salal on December 22nd 2013 and will be available for selection in Sydney FC-s squad for this Saturday-s home game against Adelaide United at Allianz Stadium.

Profile

Name: Sasa Ognenovski
Age: 34
Born: April 3rd 1979
Place of Birth: Melbourne, Australia.
Nationality: Australian
Height: 195 cm

Career

1997 – 2000 – Preston Lions – 88 (8)
2000 – 2002 – Melbourne Knights – 51 (0)
2002 – 2003 – Panachaiki – 2 (0)
2003 – 2004 – Preston Lions – 26 (0)
2005 Fawkner-Whittlesea Blues – 16 (2)
2006 – 2008 – Queensland Roar – 38 (2)
2008 – 2009 – Adelaide United – 23 (3)
2009 – 2012 – Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma – 80 (9)
2012 – 2014 – Umm Salal – 8 (0)
2014 – Sydney FC

International

2010 – Australia – 22 (1)