As we prepare for our Isuzu UTE A-League players’ return to training next week, Sydney FC CEO Adam Santo has given an update on the latest news around the club.
He was delighted to reveal we are close to moving into Sky Park, our custom built, brand new training ground complex.
“Our A-League Men & Women, Academy and Administration staff will all be working in this brand new, state of the art facility which is going to be game changing for the club,” Santo said.
“This gives us a platform which I think will lead to great success moving forward.”
Santo also highlighted the work Sydney FC are currently doing in the transfer market and how the club are acting to ensure more of our exciting Academy players are given strong opportunities in our first team squad.
READ MORE: PLAYER PROFILE – TAHLIA FRANCO
READ MORE: SYDNEY FC MEET MARINERS IN ROUND OF 32
“Our new recruit, Alex Baumjohann (Head of Player Management), is working hard in the market to recruit new players to our club.
“We would like to give additional emphasis on transitioning our youth players, particularly those that come through our Academy, into first team players.
“We’re seeing a number of our junior Academy players making National Teams [four selected for the U17 Australians] and the calibre of players we are producing from the Academy is brilliant.
“We are also pleased to announce that we have retained 17 of our double winning Women’s side and hopefully we will see one or two of our players at the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” he added.
The club has now finished it’s annual performance review of the season and Santo added: “Our A-League Women’s season couldn’t have gone any better, so Ante Juric has been re-signed for another two years and we look forward to seeing our squad go from strength to strength.
“On the Men’s front it wasn’t quite the season we had hoped for, finishing fifth, 17 points behind Melbourne City, however we showed some great form at the back-end of the season,” Santo added.
“We were only one match off a fourth Grand Final in five seasons, so once we got things right, we showed a lot of promise and off the back of our review, we are going to see a number of recommendations being implemented through the club.”
WATCH MORE: SKY PARK CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
READ MORE: ACADEMY KEEPER SIGNS A-LEAGUE CONTRACT
Speaking on the Sydney FC Academy, Adam Santo also highlighted the club’s desire to hold onto more talented individuals.
“The number of players that transition through the Academy to the A-League is a real testament to the quality that our coaches are producing.
“The barriers that prevent other A-League clubs from taking our players need to be stronger and warrant the investment that Sydney FC is making in the Academy,” the CEO said.
Finally, Adam Santo acknowledged the support that the Members and fans had shown the club throughout the last 12 months.
“Last season we broke a Membership record of more than 19,000 people and this off-season we have been rolling forward a number of these for next season.
“We had a great atmosphere at our games and I am pleased to announce that we will have two Sydney Derbies at Allianz Stadium once again.
“Preparing for the new season, there’s a lot to be excited about,” Adam Santo concluded.
Sydney FC Men’s side will return to training on Monday 3rd of July as they prepare for the Australia Cup Round of 32 clash with the Central Coast Mariners.
