Australia NewsReds Swoop On Sarkies |
Adelaide United have nicked unhappy young Victory star Kristian Sarkies from under Melbourne's nose.
The Olyroos midfielder has signed a one-year contract with the Reds after Victory failed to promise him regular game time next season.Despite star performances for the Olyroos and with Victory, Sarkies was frustrated by his lack of regular first team places.
The 20-year-old is one of the rising stars of the competition but made just seven starts for Victory, and came off the bench another 11 times last season.
Sarkies admitted last week: "That’s the main thing, game time
"Money’s not the issue. If I was offered $200,000 or a million it wouldn’t make any difference.
"I’ve gotta think about a few things. It’s a critical time in my career and at my age, that’s all I really want to do. I just want to play."
Just 48 hours ago, Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar denied a deal was done over Sarkies but admitted he was a top priority for the club.
"We’ve spoken to him, made him an offer and I’m sure he’s had many offers and he’s thinking about which one is going to be right for him," he said then.
"We’d love to have him here obviously and we think he has got a lot to offer but right now he hasn’t signed."
A livewire up forward, Sarkies is a dangerous attacking option from set and will play along side other young guns next season such as Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite, who has also just signed a new two year deal.
Djite staying with United is another blow to Victory who were believed to be interested in signing Sarkies fellow Olyroo star.
Adelaide United CEO Michael Petrillo said the signing is a boon for his club.
"We are very happy that Kristian has agreed to terms," Petrillo said.
"We look forward to seeing Kristian developing his potential at our club and we’re sure that he will add an exciting and skilful dimension to our team and is certain to be a crowd pleaser,” Petrillo said.
"He is another piece of our objective to revitalise our playing group with young and exciting players."
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