The Newcastle Jets have re-signed young striker Marko Jesic for a further year, extending his stay in the Hunter until the end of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season.
The Newcastle Jets have re-signed young striker Marko Jesic for a further year, extending his stay in the Hunter until the end of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season. The retention of the prodigious talent comes on the back of the club re-signing striker Labinot Haliti and goalkeeper Ben Kennedy over the past fortnight.
Jesic, 20, burst onto the Hyundai A-League scene a year ago when he scored the winner against Melbourne Victory at EnergyAustralia Stadium with a sublime left-footed volley on the turn. The scorching strike launched the former-AIS man into the domestic football spotlight.
The Jets starlet then succumbed to a knee injury which required a reconstruction but made a stunning comeback during the club-s AFC Champions League 2009 campaign. Away to J-League giants Nagoya Grampus, Jesic set up Tarek Elrich-s goal to earn Newcastle an invaluable point away from home en route to the club making it beyond the group stage of the competition.
Unfortunately, injury struck again in that game, but after undergoing his third knee reconstruction in as many years, Jesic is now on the road to recovery and could make his return in the latter part of the current Hyundai A-League season.
“It-s a great pity that he-s not on the park right now because I think we would be in a far better position,” Branko Culina said at today-s press conference.
“I-ve known Marko for 4 or 5 years now and he has always impressed me in that he has a very mature head on young shoulders.”
“He-s a special one,” Culina explained. “It-s a great pity that he-s had a horrendous stretch of injuries because we have potentially one of the best young players in the country here.”
Jesic was just as excited as his coach when the news was revealed this afternoon.
“Even though I-m injured, and this is my third injury, for them to want to sign me for another year it shows that they have faith in me to be my best and hopefully I can do that and get some good results for the club.”
“Branko has shown a lot of faith in me, and so has (assistant coach) Mark Jones, and I-m just really happy that they have offered me this. Like I said, hopefully when I come back I can come up with the goods and help Newcastle out,” Jesic said.
Jesic-s re-signing comes ahead of the Jets- crucial round 11 clash at home to reigning champions Melbourne Victory at EnergyAustralia Stadium this Sunday, 18 October. Tickets for this enticing encounter are available from www.proticket.com.au or by calling (02) 4915 2345.
