When Steven Ugarkovic walks back into Wanderland this season, it won’t just be as a player chasing another Isuzu UTE A-League title – it will be as a proud Western Sydney boy returning to where it all began.
For members and fans, the sight of Ugarkovic in red and black is a welcome one. His tireless work ethic and composure in midfield were trademarks of his first spell at the club, and now, after time away and a Championship medal to his name, he comes back with even more to give.
This homecoming is about family, football, and unfinished business.
The 31-year-old has spent the past year with Melbourne City, helping them to the league’s biggest prize.
But off the field, life changed just as dramatically, with the birth of his son. That new chapter played a major role in his decision to return to Western Sydney.
“It would be closer to home to family, obviously having a son in the last year, so that was a big motivator to be closer to his cousins and his grandparents and things like that,” Ugarkovic explained.
“That was off the field, but on the pitch I loved playing for this club the first time, so to have the opportunity to come back – yeah, I really wanted to be here.”
Becoming a father has reshaped not only his priorities off the pitch but also his outlook as a footballer.
What once was about personal development and pushing his own career forward is now about leaving a legacy his son can be proud of.
“The driver I have for football’s changed – having a son is probably the biggest reason, to do him proud and my family proud,” he said.
“On the pitch, having the experience away from home and being able to win a title was a massive drive for me to try to win some more. I think it’s a winning mentality every day.”
That mentality is what Wanderers fans can expect to see carried into the new campaign.
Ugarkovic knows that winning isn’t about one or two individuals – it’s about creating a culture where the entire squad is pulling in the same direction. He’s seen the formula work and wants to help bring that to Western Sydney.
“I think a lot of teams try to do it and talk about it, but I think implementing it and driving it through a whole squad is the main thing. If everyone’s on board, it makes the process a lot clearer.”
As one of the more senior voices in the change room, Ugarkovic is stepping into a new role this time around.
While he remains focused on his own performance, he also sees the value in mentoring the younger players coming through the ranks – players who will one day carry the torch for the club.
“Off the pitch I’m looking to take a bit more of a leadership role, being a bit older now and giving back to the younger players, sharing my experiences as much as I can,” he said.
“I want to lead from the front.”
The midfielder has already begun setting those standards during pre-season.
With plenty of weeks still ahead before the season kicks off, the focus has been on laying the foundations, building chemistry within the squad and sharpening their identity on the ball.
“We’re lucky we’ve got three months to get there and we’re progressing in the right way. It’s about creating team cohesion and learning to play with each other – that’s a big thing and it will take time, but overall it’s been a good start. It’s been hard work, but yeah, we’re going in the right direction.”
For the members and fans, Ugarkovic’s return signals more than just another signing. It represents a homegrown talent choosing to come back to his community, determined to use his experiences elsewhere to drive the Wanderers forward.
With his family in the stands and a Championship medal fresh in his pocket, he is ready to embrace both the responsibility and the opportunity of wearing red and black again.
