Newcastle Jets have confirmed they have signed striker Roy O’Donovan from #F3Derby rival Central Coast Mariners for the next two Hyundai A-League seasons.
In a huge coup for the Hunter club, the clinical Irish marksman will link up with the club in June following the completion of his contract in Gosford.
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The 31-year-old has played the past two seasons with the Newcastle’s arch-rivals the Mariners.
During his time in Gosford, O’Donovan – a former Sunderland, Coventry City and Blackpool player – found the back of the net an impressive 19 times in 45 Hyundai A-League fixtures.
Indeed, in his A-League career thus far the former Irish international has scored a goal in every 207 minutes of matches he’s played.
It is a record O’Donovan is aiming to replicate, or better, during his time in the Hunter.
“I want to score a lot more goals in the Hyundai A-League,” O’Donovan said.
“Obviously the Jets are transitioning between managers and there are a lot of players out of contract, but if we can get the right type of creative players in the team then I sense that we will be able to push on.
“The Jets are a good football club, a big club that I can only see growing under the ownership of the LEDMAN Group.
“Obviously joining from Central Coast will be seen as a little bit controversial, but as a professional footballer this is the next step in my career.”
Newcastle Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna welcomed O’Donovan to the club and said that his signing shows how intent LEDMAN Group are in building the Jets into a Hyundai A-League force.
“We’re ecstatic that Roy and his family have chosen Newcastle over the other offers that were on the table for him both domestically and internationally,” McKinna said.
“Martin Lee and LEDMAN Group recognise Roy’s quality, and have backed us by helping to bring him to the club.”
“We’re sure that Roy will prove to be a great addition to the Newcastle Jets over the next two seasons,” he said.
Jets to face Chilean club in July
O’Donovan will join his teammates for the start of pre-season training in late June, and could play his first match on July 8 when the Jets host Chilean Primera Division side Audax Italiano at McDonald Jones Stadium.
He will complete post-season training with Central Coast over the coming weeks.
