Sydney FC’s Patrick Yazbek will join Norwegian first division club Viking FK after the two clubs agreed on a transfer for the Olyroos midfielder. The transfer fee breaks a club record for a graduate from the Sky Blues Academy.
Yazbek will head to Scandinavia after the Sky Blues home clash with Brisbane Roar on February 18th.
The 20-year old joined the Sky Blues Academy six years ago at the age of 14 and has worked his way up to become a permanent fixture in the Sydney FC A-League Men’s squad.
“I’m very thankful to Steve for giving me my chance, I’ve learned a lot here and my ambition is to continue to learn in Norway.
“As much as I am a Sydney FC player, I’m a Sydney supporter and I’m very grateful to all of our Members for their support.
“It’s a bitter-sweet feeling to be leaving and I’ll always cherish the moments I’ve had here.
“I’m appreciative of the club for allowing me to take this opportunity mid-season and hopefully I can repay everything Sydney FC has done for me.
“I look forward to my last couple of weeks in Sky Blue and watching the team go on to great things.”
Sydney FC Head Coach Steve Corica praised Yazbek’s performances after giving him his Sky Blues debut last season.
“Patrick has performed very well over the past 13 months, he deserves his chance abroad and I’m sure he’ll continue to improve,” he said.
“He has learned quickly and is one of a number of fantastic young midfielders we have coming through our ranks.
“Jake Girdwood-Reich, Corey Hollman and a number of other Academy players now have the opportunity to step up and make a claim.”
Sydney FC Technical Director – Youth, Kelly Cross says other young players can learn from Yazbek’s achievement.
“What Patrick has demonstrated to all young players is to never give up and always believe in yourself,” he said.
“As a youngster, Patrick was never considered for junior national teams and he has seen many of his Sydney FC Academy teammates move on to A-League contracts or overseas.
“He continued to improve himself and we kept him in the Academy because we felt he had so much potential yet to be realised.
“We are so pleased for Patrick that it has all led to this exciting career opportunity for him.”
Yazbek is in the squad for Saturday’s game against the Central Coast Mariners and is available for selection for the Sydney Derby and Brisbane Roar home match.
He has played 39 games for the club across A-League, Australia Cup and AFC Champions League and scored one goal.
