The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers are proud to announce the return of defender Tarek Elrich on a two-year deal.
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers are proud to announce the return of defender Tarek Elrich on a two-year deal.
Elrich, a Western Sydney local who played junior football with Parramatta Eagles, was one of the Wanderers’ three inaugural signings on 25 June 2012.
The fullback made 11 appearances in his one season with the club, helping the Red & Black in their record-breaking run to the Premiers Plate and Grand Final.
Capped three-times by the Socceroos, Elrich returns to the club after a successful five seasons with Adelaide United, where he made 112 Hyundai A-League appearances for the Reds, winning the Premiership, Championship and FFA Cup.
The 31-year-old said he was delighted to be coming home to Western Sydney.
“Both myself and my family are over the moon. I’m glad to be back where it all started for me,” Elrich said.
Having missed most of last season with a knee injury, Elrich said he’s more hungry than ever.
“I’m going to work as hard as I can to cement my spot in the team.
“I’ve been playing and training for a few months and it’s felt great and I’ve missed the game a lot so I’m actually really looking forward to putting on the boots again and playing in front of my friends and family.”
On returning to the club, Elrich said he’s fully focused on achieving more success at the Wanderers.
“There’s one thing that’s always haunted me and that’s not winning that Grand Final. It’s something that’s always played in the back of my mind,” he continued.
“I’ve been lucky enough to win something at every club I played with but there was that one trophy that I wanted here.
“I hope that I can bring that experience and what I achieved at Adelaide here at the Wanderers.”