SYDNEY are united to send former skipper Mark Rudan out a winner when the defender plays his 50th and final A-League game this weekend.
To see Sydney's latest training session with Anthony LaPaglia...
Rudan's match against Perth Glory will be his last before he flies off to join ex-Sydney coach Pierre Littbarski and former team-mate Alvin Ceccoli at Avispa Fukuoka in the Japan's second division.
And today Rudan’s fellow foundation team mates Iain Fyfe and Mark Milligan plus Sydney FC shareholder Anthony LaPaglia were glowing in their praise of the departing defender.
“Rudes has been a fantastic player and a great leader for this club right from day one,” Milligan said. “Not only on the field but off the field he has been great for the young boys, including myself.
“It is a loss for Sydney FC but family comes first and we’ll be trying to send him out with a win against Perth on Saturday.”
Fyfe, who has partnered Rudan in central defence throughout the last three years, said: “He’s been great as a Captain, a team mate and a mentor to the young fellows.
"He’s always happy to give advice and help us out and it has been a pleasure playing with him for the last three years.
“You go into every game giving it everything to win but there’s no doubt we will be up for this one (Saturday’s clash with Perth). He deserves to have nothing but good memories from his last game.”
Lapaglia joined in the chorus after a training session at Sydney Football Stadium: “What Mark Rudan has done for this club is immeasurable.
"He has been with us (Sydney FC) from day one and been central to the success Sydney FC has enjoyed on the field in the last two and a half years.
“He is a natural leader and his loss is a big one for us but we all completely understand why he is going to Japan.
"All we can do is wish him luck and hope that when he returns from Japan there is a way he remains involved with the club.”
Midfielder Mark Robertson has received his international clearance and has been added to a provisional 17-man squad for Saturday night’s home game against Glory.
Ruben Zadkovich will miss the match through suspension with Robertson, Terry McFlynn and David Zdrilic vying for a call up.
To see Sydney's latest training session with Anthony LaPaglia...