Following the recent signing of North Queensland Fury flyer David Williams, Sydney FC has added Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante to their squad for the upcoming 2011 AFC Champions League campaign.
Following the recent signing of North Queensland Fury flyer David Williams, Sydney FC has added Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante to their squad for the upcoming 2011 AFC Champions League campaign.
Like the Williams deal, Durante will return to the Phoenix once he fulfils his commitments with Sydney FC. He will commence training with the Sky Blues on Wednesday 23 February.
“Andrew is a very strong and versatile player and he has had a great season with Wellington,” Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka said. “He gives us more depth in defence of course but as he is versatile we can use him in a number of positions.”
“His experience is also very important for the team. We have many young players and he will be able to use his experience to benefit us both on and off the pitch.
“I am very happy with Andrew and David coming to us and I think we can add more players tomorrow. We will see.”
Durante said the opportunity to play in the AFC Champions League was to good to refuse.
“I only heard about the possibility of me joining Sydney FC at lunch time and the deal had to be done today if I was to be eligible,” Durante said. “Obviously I was keen to go because it will be a fantastic experience.”
“I missed out playing in the Champions League two years ago when Newcastle Jets qualified because I was joining the Phoenix. To get a second chance is amazing. Wellington has been fantastic with Terry [Serepisos] and Ricki [Herbert} giving me their blessing.
“I think Sydney will go well in the competition because they have been playing well in the last few weeks and have signed a couple of players.”
Sydney FC plays Sydney United at Edensor Park on Wednesday 23 February (7:30pm kick-off) – its final lead up match to its opening fixture of the AFC Champions League campaign – against Korea-s Suwon Samsung Bluewings at the Sydney Football Stadium on Wednesday 2 March.
