Local goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic has secured a two-year-deal with Sydney FC after impressing during a cut throat “shoot out” under the eyes of Sky Blues Goalkeeper Coach Zeljko Kalac and Head Coach Ian Crook.
Local goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic has secured a two-year-deal with Sydney FC after impressing during a cut throat “shoot out” under the eyes of Sky Blues Goalkeeper Coach Zeljko Kalac and Head Coach Ian Crook.
The 24-year-old beat former Gold Coast United goalkeeper Jarrod Tyson, Queens Park Rangers teenager Aaron Lennox and Sutherland Sharks custodian Nathan Denham, who all spent two weeks training with Sydney FC.
Janjetovic, who will join 2011/12 Player of the Year Ivan Necevski in the Sydney FC goalkeeper ranks, was a member of the Sky Blues National Youth League side in 2008/09 and has been a stand out performer in the NSW Premier League with Sydney United.
“I-m thrilled and excited about joining Sydney FC,” Janjetovic said. “I-ve worked really hard to get into this position and I-m determined to make the most of it over the next two seasons, and hopefully longer.
“I played a season with the Sydney FC Youth Team and loved it but had an injury that set me back. I-ve had to wait for my chance and I-d like to thank Sydney United for believing in me and allowing me to get back to the stage where I am able to play for Sydney FC.”
Janjetovic has shown he can perform under pressure after winning his place during two weeks of training alongside the other trialists as the Sydney FC squad underwent post season workouts.
“It was a very tight call but Vedran was the best of the four we had in to find someone to work with Ivan (Necevski) and push for a place in the first team,” Kalac said. “He is also a very similar ‘keeper to Ivan and that helps our overall squad.
“Vedran is hungry after spending time at Sydney FC in the youth team and going close to playing A-League with Melbourne Heart and Adelaide but his form with Sydney United in the NSW Premier League has been outstanding.
“It shows young players out there in the NSW Premier League that Sydney FC is watching and there is a real pathway through to the A-League, as has been proven over the last seven years.”
Sydney FC Head Coach Ian Crook also welcomed Janjetovic to the Sky Blues, highlighting the attitude and character of the 24-year-old.
“Vedran impressed during the two weeks when he was on trial with us on the training pitch but he has a very strong character, which is important for me,” Crook said.
“He won a Youth League Championship with Sydney FC and since then he has had to battle hard to overcome injury and setback and that speaks volumes for the type of person he is. I look forward to having him on board when we start Pre Season training.”
Janjetovic becomes the 19th Sydney FC player signed for the 2012/13 season. The squad is: Ivan Necevski, Sebastian Ryall, Fabio Alves, Pascal Bosschaart, Adam Griffiths, Hirofumi Moriyasu, Brett Emerton, Nick Carle, Dimi Petratos, Terry McFlynn, Terry Antonis, Joel Chianese, Vedran Janjetovic, Ali Abbas, Nathan Sherlock, Rhyan Grant, Daniel Petkovski, Mitch Mallia and Hagi Gligor.
