Former Qantas Socceroos defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley has put to bed weeks of speculation about his future by re-signing with the Newcastle Jets for the next two seasons.
It is understood Topor-Stanley has been the target of a bidding war from rival A-League clubs and the big defender had reportedly rejected two offers from the Jets to retain his services.
However, the Newcastle club finally got their man much to the delight of head coach Branko Culina.
“I think it is a win-win situation for both camps. I think Nikolai was very keen to stay and we were very keen to retain his services,” Culina said.
“He is a key player who has had a tremendous year and we want to make sure that we continue our building process around him.”
“He is a terrific player and everyone was interested in what he wanted to do.”
“We always knew his heart was here but when someone comes and makes a big offer you can think twice about it.”
“But in the end it is all worked out, he is happy and we are happy.”
A stand-out performer for the Jets this season Topor-Stanley said that he was never his purpose to stall negotiations with the club, he just wanted to consider the best option for his future.
“Unfortunately that is football – it didn-t go the way anyone planned really but I am glad to put it behind me and concentrate on the next two games this season and the next two years,- he said on Tuesday.
“I am delighted to be part of the team for the next two years. The club is going in the right direction and I am delighted.”
“I always wanted to stay here and I made that clear from day one. My heart was always here. And I am glad the club gave me time to think about it.”
Topor-Stanley said that the stability offered by the support of Jets owner Nathan Tinkler was an important factor in him re-signing.
“No disrespect to Con (former owner Con Constantine) but with Nathan (Tinkler) there is that stability, here is here for the next 10 years and that is important,” he said.
“The ambitions and the plans the club have got now are great and I am delighted to be a part of it.”
Both Topor-Stanley and Culina said that the Jets are entering a new and exciting phase and one where they anticipate the club will be one of the leading franchises in the Hyundai A-League.
“In my time in Newcastle it is the first time we have been able to keep a big name player who has had an offer from a so-called bigger club,” Culina said.
“I think that will continue with where we are at now with Nathan (Tinkler) and it is a real positive for the club and it sends a message to the rest of the players in our club and outside to say ‘hey Newcastle is able to go out and match it with the very best’.”
