Sydney FC today signed attacking midfielder Nicky Carle as its Australian marquee player for the next three seasons.
Hyundai A-League 2010 Champions Sydney FC today signed Qantas Socceroos attacking midfielder Nicky Carle as its Australian marquee player for the next three seasons, putting the Johnny Warren medal winner in Sky Blue until at least 2013.
One of the premier creative and technically gifted midfielders produced by Australian football, Carle returns to the Hyundai A-League after playing the last four years in Europe with Turkish giants Gençlerbirligi S.K. and English sides Bristol City and Crystal Palace.
The 28-year-old crowd pleaser brings excitement and flair to the Sky Blues – the perfect compliment for a team, in the second year of Vitezslav Lavicka-s rein, that will play a more attacking and entertaining brand of football in season six of the A-League.
Carle follows fellow Sydney juniors Scott Jamieson and Liam Reddy to the club, further bolstering a side that features attacking duo Alex Brosque and Mark Bridge, midfielder Stuart Musialik and young guns Kofi Danning, Sebastian Ryall and Rhyan Grant.
Carle will wear number 10 for the Sky Blues, taking over from retired club legend Steve Corica.
“I couldn-t be happier to sign on with Sydney FC. I am returning to my hometown and joining a club that is leading the way in Australian football,” Carle said. “My focus is now purely on giving everything I have for Sydney FC. I am good shape and will work as hard as I ever have.”
“I have the utmost respect for Vitezslav Lavicka and we already have a great relationship so I am looking forward to working hard under him and to keep the success going.
“The culture I saw at the club after just a few weeks of Vitezslav being coach was impressive and after all the recent success it is a club and an environment that has a special feeling about it.
“I want to be part of the club-s continued success. I feel that I will be a big contributor. The challenge of defending the A-League title and playing in the Asian Champions League is something I am ready for and I feel Sydney FC is ready for.”
Sky Blues coach Vitezslav Lavicka said Carle is both the perfect player and right character to join Sydney FC.
“Nicky trained with us before last season. He is a very impressive player and person. He will make a great addition to our team and our club. We are very happy to have him join us here,” Lavicka said.
“Nicky will strike a strong partnership with our players, in particular Alex Brosque and Mark Bridge. He is entertaining to watch and that is the way we will play this season. He is experienced, fast and plays with excellent vision.”
“We needed to replace a very important player in Steve Corica and Nicky is perfect for that position. I am very happy. I am happy for Sydney FC, for our supporters and our sponsors and we can now focus on being ready to defend the title.”
Sydney FC Vice Chairman Scott Barlow said the addition of a player of the ilk of Nicky Carle would make the Sky Blues a truly formidable opponent.
“Nick is the perfect for our club, both on and off the pitch. We will be playing a more attacking style of play and Nick will be a massive part in us playing that way,” Barlow said.
“He is unrivalled in Australian football with his skill set, passing and creativity. The overwhelming majority of our players are Sydney born to. That-s a great testament to our philosophy and the strength of football in Sydney.”
Carle burst onto the scene at an early age, winning five national futsal titles with his exceptional balls skills and vision his signature traits from day one of his footballing career.
Soon spotted playing for Patrician Brothers College as a 15-year-old in 1997, Carle made his National Soccer League (NSL) debut on October 5 that year for Sydney Olympic where he would go on to play 86 games.
After a season with French side Troyes AC, Carle returned to Australia in 2003 and joined the Marconi Stallions before signing with the Newcastle Jets for the inaugural A-League season in 2005.
In 42 games for the Jets between 2005 and 2007, Carle led his side to consecutive finals appearances and was rewarded with stunning his 2006/07 season by being named the Johnny Warren medallist and also snaring the goal of the year.
Carle also has a distinguished international career, having represented Australia at every level and earning 50 caps overall and scoring 18 goals.
Nick Carle
DOB: November 23, 1981
Place of Birth: Sydney
Clubs:
Sydney Olympic: 1997 – 2002
Troyes AC: 2002 – 2003
Marconi Stallions: 2003 – 2005
Newcastle Jets: 2005 – 2007
Gençlerbirligi S.K.: 2007 – 2008
Bristol City: 2008
Crystal Palace: 2008 – 2010
Sydney FC: 2010 –
Hyundai A-League debut:
Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United: 0 – 1, 26 August 2005
Representative honours (caps):
Qantas Socceroos (13), Qantas Under 23-s (16), Qantas Young Socceroos (16), Qantas Joeys (5)
