Sydney FC have secured the futures of the next generation of Sky Blues, with strikers Trent Buhagiar and Luke Ivanovic, left back Joel King and goalkeeper Thomas Heward-Belle signing new deals today.
The onboarding of the quartet is sign of faith in Sydney FC’s youngsters by Head Coach Steve Corica, and shows the quality of the club’s youth development with King, Ivanovic and Heward-Belle having spent time with the club’s Academy and youth setup.
All four players boast Hyundai A-League appearances this season and will be integral to the club’s title defence and 2020 AFC Champions League campaign; as well as in the years ahead.
21-year-old Trent Buhagiar said he was thrilled to be extending his time with Sydney FC alongside some of his best mates.
“We’re all delighted to be committing to Sydney FC and securing our futures together,” he said.
“We are really good friends, we have a great relationship on and off the pitch and to be signing on the same day is a huge boost for us all.
“Our friendship definitely helps make this decision easier, but there isn’t a lot to think about when you’re signing for the biggest and most successful club in the country,” Buhagiar continued.
“Sydney FC has helped me develop even more as a footballer and has given me some wonderful experiences already.
“It is the perfect place for me and the rest of the boys to continue to grow as players and to further our careers.”
Head Coach Steve Corica praised the re-signings and said the future was bright at Sydney FC with players of this calibre coming through.
“Joel, Luke, Trent and Tom are all quality players and it’s great to have them remain Sky Blue,” he said.
“They’ve all come through challenges with us and it has been a pleasure to see them develop into the footballers they are today.
“They will play crucial roles for us over the course this season, particularly with a busy second half of the campaign.
“It just goes to show how strong our youth pathways are, and I’d like to congratulate the four players on re-signing.”
19-year old King, Ivanovic and 21-year old Buhagiar will remain with the club for a further two years after this season while 22-year old Heward-Belle’s new deal finishes at the end of the next campaign.
Sydney FC return to Hyundai A-League action on Saturday at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium against Robbie Fowler’s Brisbane Roar (kick off 7:30pm AEDT).
