Former Wanderer Matthew Spiranovic has today announced his retirement from professional football.
The classy defender joined the Wanderers back in 2013 after stints at Al-Arabi, Urawa Red Diamonds and FC Nurnberg and quickly became an important part of the Wanderers success over his two seasons at the club.
A significant part of the Wanderers’ run to the Hyundai A-League 2014 Grand Final, Spiranovic opened the scoring for the Red & Black in the decider against Brisbane Roar and followed that up with the selection in the PFA Team of the Year as well as playing every minute of the Socceroos 2014 World Cup Finals campaign.
The best was still yet to come though as the classy central defender earned an unprecedented Asian double.
Part of the backline that conceded only a single goal at home, Spiranovic played in both legs of the AFC Champions League Final against Al-Hilal that saw the Wanderers become the first Australian team to win the prestigious continental title.
He followed that up soon afterwards as his Wanderers form again saw him selected for the Socceroos, this time playing all but 90 minutes in the Asian Cup as the national team won the trophy for the first time in history.
Spiranovic departed the Red & Black after 44 appearances in the Hyundai A-League, AFC Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup and headed to the Chinese Super League where he played at Zhejiang Professional FC for two years.
The defender then took a break away from the game for two years before returning to Australia with Perth Glory for two seasons before wrapping up his career at Melbourne Victory.
The Western Sydney Wanderers would like to thank Matthew for his immense contribution to the club’s history and wish him all the best in the next stage of his career.
