The Newcastle Jets today confirm that the club has signed an agreement with Korean side Incheon United FC regarding captain Jade North. The deal will see the current Qantas Socceroo join the K-League club in January 2009, subject to a medical examination.
The Newcastle Jets today confirm that the club has signed an agreement with Korean side Incheon United FC regarding captain Jade North. The deal will see the current Qantas Socceroo join the K-League club in January 2009, subject to a medical examination.
Hyundai A-League newcomers North Queensland Fury had secured North-s services for the next three seasons, but last night confirmed that North was released from this contract. North will now bypass the Townsville-based club and fly directly to Korea to join Incheon United FC.
North is a Newcastle Jets foundation player, having been with the club since the 2005/06 Hyundai A-League season, and was instated as captain last season. Indeed the 2007/08 season was a time when the athletic defender wrote his name in Australian sporting history when he became the first indigenous Australian to captain a football team, in any code, to a Grand Final victory.
A player of class, athleticism, and determination, the Taree-born North will be missed when he departs Newcastle at the conclusion of the calendar year. The Jets- home game against rivals, Central Coast Mariners, on December 26 will be the defender-s final game for the club.
“It is, of course, with some sadness that we will see our club captain depart,” club CEO John Tsatsimas said today.
“However, this is an agreement that is of great benefit not only to our club, but most importantly to Jade himself.”
“Jade is not only a wonderful player, as evidenced in his many caps for the national team, but he has represented the region of northern New South Wales with distinction in his time here at the Jets. He has led the team by example as captain over the past two seasons, and we wish him all the best when he moves on in his career. It has been a dream of Jade to pursue a career overseas for some time, and we are happy to see him fulfill this dream.”
“We have no doubt that Jade will maintain the same level of commitment and professionalism that he has shown over the past four seasons for the remainder of his time in Newcastle, and we look forward to him leading the team onto the pitch for the rest of this year ,” Mr. Tsatsimas said.
