The Newcastle Jets have signed Labinot Haliti for a period of three months as an injury replacement for Marko Jesic.
The Newcastle Jets have signed Labinot Haliti for a period of three months as an injury replacement for Marko Jesic.
Haliti, 23, was one of the original Jets, joining the club for the inaugural Hyundai A-League season in 2005. After two seasons in Newcastle, the Kosovo-born Haliti moved on to Croatian club NK Slaven Belupo in the Prva HNL division.
In his first season in Europe, Haliti struggled to break into the first team at the Gradski Stadion and moved swiftly on to KS Teuta Durres in the Albanian Superliga, where he enjoyed a successful 12-month spell.
The lanky playmaker then signed for Polish Ekstraklasa side, LKS Lodz, where he excelled as an attacking midfielder. However, despite a good showing in the league with the Spring Knights, finishing the season with 35 competition points, the club did not have their licence renewed to compete in Poland-s top flight.
Jets- CEO John Tsatsimas today welcomed Haliti back to Newcastle for his second stint at the Hunter-based club.
“It-s wonderful to have a player of Labinot-s quality here in Newcastle once more, and it-s great to see him return to our club.”
“Obviously he has had some gained some valuable experience during his time in Europe and that will no doubt stand him in good stead for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League season.”
“In general terms, it speaks volumes about the direction that the league is heading in when players are returning to Australia after having played abroad. The amount of players that we have seen return to these shores for this season is a massive boost for the competition.”
“Labinot has certainly joined us at a very pertinent time as we have a huge game up against Gold Coast this weekend and it is an important moment in the context of the season for us to strengthen our squad,” he explained.
The Jets take on unbeaten Gold Coast United this Sunday, 30 August at EnergyAustralia Stadium. Tickets for this enticing clash are available from www.proticket.com.au or by calling (02) 4915 2345.
Labinot Haliti Profile
Date of Birth: 26 October 1985
Place of Birth: Pristina, Kosovo
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Playing History
Year Club Appearances (Goals)
2002-2003 Sydney Olympic 2 (0)
2003-2005 Sydney United 20 (1)
2005-2007 Newcastle Jets 26 (3)
2007 NK Slaven Belupo 0 (0)
2007-2008 KS Teuta Durres 18 (3)
2008-2009 LKS Lodz 22 (0)
