Zadkovich Gets Back On Board With Jets

Newcastle Herald

Monday April 14, 2008

JAMES GARDINER SOCCER

THE on-again, off-again deal between the Newcastle Jets and Olyroos utility Ruben Zadkovich appears to be on again.

Zadkovich was last week reported to be on the verge of joining English Championship club Crystal Palace, despite having agreed to terms with the Jets for next A-League season.

Zadkovich's agent Tom Brooks confirmed that Crystal Palace had tabled an offer for the 21-year-old but it had been rejected.

"Nothing has changed," Brooks told The Herald from England last night.

"Ruben is in the UK on holidays visiting his brother.

"We agreed about three days into his holiday that he would sign with the Jets when he returned.

"He has Olyroos commitments when he gets home and he wanted to train with a couple of clubs while he was over here.

"The Jets were aware of that before he went.

"Crystal Palace were impressed with him and put an offer in for him, but that offer was rejected.

"That is as far as it has gone."

Brooks said Zadkovich would put pen to paper on a one-year deal with the Jets when he returned to Australia in 10 days.

Zadkovich made 17 appearances, 14 in the starting side, for Sydney FC last season.

Comfortable as a fullback or holding midfielder, his signature would help cover the loss of Stuart Musialik to Sydney.

Confirmation on the Zadkovich deal follows the signing last week of Australian Institute of Sport striker Jason Naidovski to a two-year deal.

The Jets are also in negotiations with former Melbourne defender Ljubo Milicevic, who will visit Newcastle next week to meet with coach Gary van Egmond.

Van Egmond heads to Europe on April 23 and hopes to finalise his roster while there.

Based in Italy, van Egmond will also attend training sessions and meet with the coaching staff at AS Roma.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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