New Western United man Dario Jertec has arrived in Melbourne and is already casting his eye toward the club’s first-ever Hyundai A-League match.
Croatian Jertec became United’s fourth international signing – joining Italian Alessandro Diamanti, Greece’s Panagiotis Kone, and Poland’s Filip Kurto – when he inked a one-year deal earlier this month.
Western United open their campaign against Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand on Sunday, October 13.
While the 34-year-old will have just over two weeks training with Mark Rudan’s squad before Round 1, he’s adamant he’ll be ready to go.
“I’m fit,” he told the club’s official website. “I played in five, six games in Croatia, because their championship has started.
“I feel good and physically I’m ready to play in the championship [Hyundai A-League] and I don’t see a reason why I won’t play good with team and me.
“I’m very happy to be here.”
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The midfielder – a former Croatian youth international – has spent the majority of his career in his homeland, as well as stints in Saudi Arabia, Slovenia and Kuwait.
“I came here because I spoke with the coach [Mark Rudan] and he told me about his target and I think this will be a good experience for me and my future,” said Jertec.
“I think I made a good decision coming here.”
United have confirmed a final pre-season friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday, October 5.
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The match will be played at the club’s home ground – GMHBA Stadium – in Geelong, with entry free.
It will be a final hitout for Rudan’s side ahead before taking on Phoenix eight days later.
The clash will also see the club’s trio of ex-Wanderers – Brendan Hamill, Josh Risdon and Jonathan Aspropotamitis – come up against their former side.
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