NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers today announced they have extended the contract of Mark Bridge for an additional three years.
NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers today announced they have extended the contract of Mark Bridge for an additional three years.
The news ensures the Wanderers inaugural Player of the Year will remain with the club until the end of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season.
One of the Wanderers first ever signings, the 27-year-old has made himself invaluable to Head Coach Tony Popovic-s plans moving forward.
“Mark has improved immeasurably in his first year at the Club,” said Popovic.
“He is already showing in pre-season training his appetite to continue developing and improving as a player. He-s a player we want to keep at the Club for a long time.”
Bridge, who scored 11 goals and made five assists in his debut season with the Club, originally signed on a two-season deal and was buzzing to lock in his future with a club he calls home.
“Moving home to Western Sydney and playing for the Wanderers was one of the best decisions of my life,” said Bridge.
“This is a special club. From the coaching staff and the environment we work and train in to our incredible fans, being a Wanderer has made me a better player and a happier person.”
Wanderers Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman added that not only has Bridge secured his place on the Wanderers roster until 2017, he is also on his way to etching his name into Wanderers folklore.
“Mark represents so much of what we are trying to build at the Wanderers and I am proud to have him represent our Wanderers family not just on the pitch but also in the Western Sydney community he calls home,” said Gorman.
“What Mark has achieved on the pitch has been outstanding for this club, but what he also achieves off the pitch is a symbol that he has signed up not just for football, but for his commitment to Western Sydney.”
Bridge departs with the rest of the Western Sydney Wanderers travelling squad tomorrow morning for WanderTour 2013 from Sydney International Airport tomorrow morning at 8.15am.
WanderTour 2013 - Japan |China 2-14 September 2013 4 September Wanderers v Shimizu S-Pulse | Shimizu Nihondaira Stadium | 7.00pm local (8.00pm AEST) 8 September Wanderers v Guangzhou G+F | Sanshui Training Base | 10.00am local (12.00pm AEST) 12 September Wanderers v Tokyo Verdy | Tama City Stadium | 3.00pm local (4.00pm AEST)
Western Sydney Wanderers Travelling Squad 1.Ante COVIC | 2.Shannon COLE | 3.Adam D'APUZZO | 4.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY | 5.Michael BEAUCHAMP | 6. Jerome POLENZ | 7. Labinot HALITI | 8. Mateo POLJAK | 9. Tomi JURIC | 10. Aaron MOOY | 11. Brendon SANTALAB | 12. Tahj MINNIECON | 14. Kwabena APPIAH-KUBI | 15. Jake MCGING | 16. Martin LO | 17. Youssouf HERSI | 18. Iacopo LA ROCCA | 19. Mark BRIDGE | 20. Jerrad TYSON | 21. Shinji ONO | 22. Dean HEFFERNAN | 23. Jason TRIFIRO | 24. Nicholas OLSEN