Sydney FC has bolstered its attack by signing proven goal scorer Joel Griffiths on a two-year contract.
Sydney FC has bolstered its attack by signing proven goal scorer Joel Griffiths on a two-year contract.
Griffiths will officially start with Sydney FC when his current contract with Shanghai Shenhua expires on 31 December 2012 and is expected to make his debut with the Sky Blues once the transfer window opens on 14 January 2013.
The 2007/08 Hyundai A-League Johnny Warren Medallist and Golden Boot winner will begin training with Sydney FC on Monday.
“I-m really happy to be joining Sydney FC and can-t wait to get into training with the team and then start playing games,” Griffiths said.
“Sydney is my home, Sydney FC is a great club and has tremendous training facilities and I-m looking forward to playing in the A-League again.”
The 33-year-old joins Sydney FC after spending the last four years playing for Beijing Guoan and Shanghai Shenhua where he scored 34 goals from 94 appearances in the Chinese Super League, playing alongside Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba in Shanghai.
Griffiths has been a regular goal scorer during stints in the National Soccer League with Sydney United, Parramatta Power and Newcastle Jets, NE Xamax in Switzerland, Avispa Fukuoka in the J-League, Newcastle Jets in the A-League and with Beijing Guoan and Shanghai Shenhua in China.
“Joel is a quality player, a proven goal scorer and it-s great that we have signed him to play with Sydney FC,” Sydney FC Coach Frank Farina said. “He has pace, he knows how to finish and he-ll be a tremendous addition to the squad.”
Joel, who was born and raised in the Sutherland Shire, will be reunited with his twin brother Adam, who joined Sydney FC this season.
“I spent four years in China and really enjoyed the experience and the football,” Griffiths said. “But the time was right for me to come back to Australia and I-m happy I-ve got the opportunity to play in front of my family and friends.”
Griffiths will wear the number 29 shirt for the Sky Blues.
JOEL GRIFFITHS
Position: Striker
Date of Birth: 21 August 1979
Place of Birth: Sydney, Australia
Club career
1997-1999 Sydney United (NSL) 28 games (4 goals)
1999-2001 Parramatta Power (NSL) 51 (15)
2001-2003 Newcastle Jets (NSL) 45 (28)
2003-2006 NE Xamax (Swiss Super League) 72 (4)
2006-2009 Newcastle Jets (A-League) 60 (28)
2008 Avispa Fukuoka (J-League) – on loan 9 (3)
2009-2011 Beijing Guoan (Chinese Super League) 76 (28)
2012 Shanghai Shenhua (Chinese Super League) 18 (6)
International Career
U20 5 appearances (1 goal)
Represented Australia at 1999 Youth World Cup in Nigeria
Socceroos 3 appearances (1 goal)
Tickets for Saturday night’s epic derby clash with Western Sydney Wanderers are still available from Ticketek starting from only $25 for adults. Kick off is 7:45pm with the W-League top of the table clash between Sydney FC and Perth Glory starting at 5pm.
