Blood, sweat, and tears. That's Bruce Djite's promise to Adelaide United after his appointment as the club's new Director of Football.
Djite - who officially announced his retirement from football in April - returns to the Hyundai A-League outfit to assume the role last served by Aurelio Vidmar before his resignation in February.
The 32-year-old's appointment continues the post-season reshuffle in the Hyundai A-League club's football department, following the departure of ex-boss Marco Kurz and arrival of new coach Gertjan Verbeek on May 23.
Since the announcement of former Eredivisie stalwart Verbeek on a two-year deal, the Reds also confirmed the return of legendary shot stopper Eugene Galekovic as the club's new goalkeeping coach.
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Djite - Adelaide's all-time top goal scorer with 41 goals in 158 appearances - is a legend in the City of Churches having won the inaugural FFA Cup in 2014, and fired the club to a Premiership and Championship double in 2015/16.
He has been capped nine times by the Caltex Socceroos and also served as a member on the Professional Footballers Australia Executive Committee for more than four years, as well as appearing as a regular pundit across Fox Sports’ football coverage.
“Returning to Adelaide United is a great honour for me," Djite told the club's official website.
"I have created the best memories of my life in the great state of South Australia. Both my children were born here in Adelaide, I won all the domestic titles with Adelaide United, and who can forget that Grand Final at Adelaide Oval.
“The first house I ever bought was here because I believe in South Australia. Adelaide is the club and city where I signed my first ever professional contract and the people of SA have adopted me as one of their own from the very first day I stepped foot in this great state.
“Now I have come back to give my blood, sweat, and tears to the club in a new capacity, a new chapter in my career. I am very proud to be appointed the Director of Football for this club, which means so much to me.
“This position bestows a great amount of responsibility on me and I look forward to doing what I have always done: putting my head down, and working hard and diligently to achieve the club's goals.
“I thank the club for all the trust they have given me and I look forward to getting to work.”
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Adelaide United Chairman Piet van der Pol, said: “It is no secret that Bruce is held in very high esteem right throughout Australian football.
“In addition to this, his connection with Adelaide United and his knowledge of this club and this sport in this country make him perfectly qualified to be our Director of Football.
“Bruce is an outstanding professional and has exceeded in all aspects of his career.
“As such, we are very excited to have him return to our club and are looking forward to the positive impact he will undoubtedly have not only on our Football Department, but the entire organisation.”
