Culina: I Am Coming Home To Oz
SOCCEROO Jason Culina has confirmed he WILL be signing for Gold Coast United and making a return to play in Australia in the A-League next season.
Culina broke the news on his Dutch club's website as he admitted he'd be leaving PSV Eindhoven at the end of his contract in May.
Gold Coast United have been pursuing Culina for months to be their marquee signing and skipper for their debut season.
Although the deal has looked close - and occasionally inevitable - it was put in jeopardy earlier this week when PSV tabled a reportedly bigger rival offer.
Dinamo Zagreb also came in late, looking to tempt Culina to Croatia, but despite the brinksmanship, Gold Coast United and the A-League emerged victorious.
Culina's return is a huge boost for the A-League and sends out a massive message to all Aussies playing overseas for everyone from Harry Kewell down.
I want to make a fresh start and I am ready for a new challenge," Culina said today. "I am the first [current] international who returns to Australia and I am keen to promote the national competition and raise the standard.
"Players have returned to Australia from Europe before, but that was usually at the end of their careers. I will be 29 when we return. Thats why I was anxious to complete a three-year deal.
Culina admitted that it was not easy to turn down PSVs offer.
PSV is a great club and I felt flattered when they offered me a contract extension, but I had already made up my mind to return to Australia, he said.
Culina emphatically denied his family had persuaded him to go back to Down Under.
On the contrary," he insisted. "My wife loves life in the Netherlands and she feels at home here.
"She wanted me to stay with PSV, but I decided to follow my heart. I spent ten years in Holland and Im looking forward to the new challenge.
He added: I may be wearing the captains armband. The Gold Coast United manager wants to have a 22-man squad. Sixteen players have already closed a deal.
"But my first priority is to put in convincing displays for PSV the next five months. I won the Dutch title three times and want to give my all to the team before I return back home.
SOCCEROO Jason Culina has confirmed he WILL be signing for Gold Coast United and making a return to play in Australia in the A-League next season.
Culina broke the news on his Dutch club's website as he admitted he'd be leaving PSV Eindhoven at the end of his contract in May.
Gold Coast United have been pursuing Culina for months to be their marquee signing and skipper for their debut season.
Although the deal has looked close - and occasionally inevitable - it was put in jeopardy earlier this week when PSV tabled a reportedly bigger rival offer.
Dinamo Zagreb also came in late, looking to tempt Culina to Croatia, but despite the brinksmanship, Gold Coast United and the A-League emerged victorious.
Culina's return is a huge boost for the A-League and sends out a massive message to all Aussies playing overseas for everyone from Harry Kewell down.
I want to make a fresh start and I am ready for a new challenge," Culina said today. "I am the first [current] international who returns to Australia and I am keen to promote the national competition and raise the standard.
"Players have returned to Australia from Europe before, but that was usually at the end of their careers. I will be 29 when we return. Thats why I was anxious to complete a three-year deal.
Culina admitted that it was not easy to turn down PSVs offer.
PSV is a great club and I felt flattered when they offered me a contract extension, but I had already made up my mind to return to Australia, he said.
Culina emphatically denied his family had persuaded him to go back to Down Under.
On the contrary," he insisted. "My wife loves life in the Netherlands and she feels at home here.
"She wanted me to stay with PSV, but I decided to follow my heart. I spent ten years in Holland and Im looking forward to the new challenge.
He added: I may be wearing the captains armband. The Gold Coast United manager wants to have a 22-man squad. Sixteen players have already closed a deal.
"But my first priority is to put in convincing displays for PSV the next five months. I won the Dutch title three times and want to give my all to the team before I return back home.
