The depth of Adelaide United FC’s defensive stocks have been further strengthened by the signing of 194cm Sydney defender Antony Golec.
The depth of Adelaide United FC-s defensive stocks have been further strengthened by the signing of 194cm Sydney defender Antony Golec.
A left footed central defender who has been on Sydney FC-s roster for the past three seasons, Golec-s one year deal with the Reds comes after he impressed Head Coach Rini Coolen in his two appearances off the bench during United-s recent pre season trial matches against Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory.
“We were looking for a left footed central defender and knowing he (Golec) fitted that mould and is still a young player, it-s a chance for him to come in for a year and see if he is going to be a player for the future,” Coolen said.
“He-s tall, he-s strong and he has played for Australia-s national team at Under 20 and Under 23 level, so it-s good to have players like this in our squad because we have to think not only about the short term but also the longer term.”
Following 13 Hyundai A-League appearances and 45 in the National Youth League with Sydney FC, Golec-s contract with the Sky Blues expired at the end of last season leaving him to explore his options. The 21 year old spent two months training with the Central Coast Mariners before he decided to try his luck over in the Indonesian Premier League.
However, Golec-s Indonesian venture was short lived as Coolen and Adelaide United offered the Australian U-23 and U-20 representative an opportunity to put his talent on show in the trial game against the Roar.
Despite only meeting up with the Reds- squad in Brisbane the day before the game, Golec made the most of his chance with an impressive second half display against the reigning Hyundai A-League champions. He then returned to Adelaide with the squad and was given approximately 30 minutes against the Victory last Friday night as he replaced Reds captain Jon McKain.
“It feels great,” Golec said on securing a one year deal with the Reds.
“Six months sitting on the sideline trying to find a club, it was a little bit hard going through the motions, but I knew I was good enough, I believed in myself and I just had to get an opportunity and I got it.”
“I-m glad that I took it with both hands and hopefully it just gets better from here.”
Golec says he took a ‘nothing to lose- mentality into the trial against Brisbane, an attitude that proved to pay dividends.
“I was given an opportunity and I just went out there thinking ‘this is it-, and it was against the champions so it worked out well,” Golec said.
“Then against Melbourne, mentally you had to be tough but the boys helped me out a lot and I felt like when I was in Brisbane I was already part of the team so that helped me to feel comfortable when I came on.”
Now that he is an official part of the squad, Golec is looking forward to making more of an impact in his second Hyundai A-League stint.
“I-ve got my own goals as an individual and for the team, but I definitely just want to improve and keep on impressing, so I-m going to just try and take the opportunity with both hands.”
Antony Golec
DOB 29 May 1990 (Sydney)
Age 21
Position Defender
Height 194cm
Club History
2008-2011 Sydney FC (Hyundai A-League)
2008 Sydney United (NSW)
Representative Honours
Qantas U-23s (3 appearances)
Qantas Young Socceroos (4 appearances)
