Goalkeeper Jerrad Tyson has signed with the NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers for next season, it was announced today.
Tyson, 23, said he wanted to continue his development as a professional footballer at the Wanderers.
“The decision was easy since coming here I have felt really honoured to be a part of this club and to be involved with this community, and everything that is being built here,” Tyson said.
“For me it is really important to make a contribution and I don-t feel that I have made the contribution yet that I would like to give to this club and hopefully by re-signing I can make that contribution either at the end of this season or going into next season.”
Tasmanian-born Tyson has been kept on the sidelines this season by the scintillating form of Wanderers- experienced first choice goalkeeper Ante Covic.
However, the former Gold Coast United player said he was better for the experience at the club under Goalkeeping Coach Ron Corry and through training with Covic.
“Our club has a level of professionalism and football that I have not experienced before at any level of the game and it is certainly something that has helped me go to the next level and I want to continue that journey next year,” Tyson said.
“Ante is an incredible goalkeeper not just on the pitch but the way that he trains off the pitch.
“He is someone that I really admire and look up to and I hope that one day I can emulate some of the feats that he has been able to achieve this year for the club.
“It has been really great working with him and Ron has been fantastic in highlighting a few areas of my game that could help take me to the next level and I am working really hard to make sure I get those things into my game.
“Hopefully when I get my opportunity on the field, I can use some things that I have learned from him and do well.”
Wanderers coach Tony Popovic said Tyson had worked hard every day to improve his game.
“Jerrad is a great professional and a very hard working keeper and he is trying to improve himself at every opportunity,” Popovic said.
“We are very pleased he will be with us next season and we know he will be ready when he gets his chance.”
Off the pitch, the Australian under 23 representative has been working tirelessly behind the scenes helping the club touch as many people as possible in Western Sydney.
“While ‘Superman- has been in goal I have not been able to make a contribution on the field it has been important to me that I make a contribution to the club in other ways so if I can do that off the field in the community then great,” Tyson said.
“I have really enjoyed meeting everyone and obviously this club is big on engaging with our fans and the community as a whole and I have really enjoyed it.”
