Adelaide United’s latest signing Milan Susak says he did not have to think twice about rejoining the club after a short stint in Indonesia.
Adelaide United’s latest signing Milan Susak says he did not have to think twice about rejoining the club after a short stint in Indonesia.
Susak, 27, made 10 appearances for United in 2007/08, and won the Hyundai A-League championship with Brisbane Roar in March, but when his new Indonesian club Minangkabau FC were denied a licence for the country’s league, the defender was left without a home.
“I played eight or nine games over there and then we had a break because they-ve got a transition in the league over there with the merger happening and unfortunately my club didn-t get the licence to merge,” Susak said.
“They couldn-t afford to keep me and pay me for the second year as well.”
“So I came on a free transfer and when I heard Adelaide was interested in me I didn-t hesitate. Obviously I was here in 2007/08 and had a great time and I-m just happy to be back.”
Susak has inked a two-year deal with United, and the New South Wales-born defender said he felt comfortable in the city of churches.
“When I played here in 2007/08 the club was very good, it-s like a family club and they make you feel comfortable here,” Susak said.
“When I left in 2008 I was shattered, and then when I got the chance and they contacted me to look at coming back, I was very happy.”
After his first spell with United ended, Susak spent two seasons in Germany with SpVgg Unterhaching before playing last season with the Roar, and he said the feeling of being involved in a championship win is one he is keen to repeat with United.
“The feeling of that season, the streak, the semi-finals and the grand final and how it all happened, it-s every player-s dream so I-m hungry to get that feeling again here,” he said.
Adelaide coach Rini Coolen said Susak’s versatility were a big plus in his planning for the 2011/12 campaign.
“I see his best position as a central defender but one of the benefits is that he can play if necessary in more positions in the back four, so that-s definitely something positive,” Coolen said.
“What he needs is of course game fitness, he-s been training over the past couple of months so he needs some time but we-ll try to fit him in as quickly as possible.”
