18-year-old rising star Dimitri Petratos has re-signed with Hyundai A-League 2010 Champions Sydney FC for a further two seasons, club CEO Edwin Lugt announced today.
18-year-old rising star Dimitri Petratos has re-signed with Hyundai A-League 2010 Champions Sydney FC for a further two seasons, club CEO Edwin Lugt announced today.
Petratos burst onto the A-League scene in season 2010/11, with his speed and creativity seeing him quickly become an integral part of Sky Blues starting XI.
The Penrith Nepean junior began his Sydney FC career with the club-s National Youth League team in 2009/10 before training with the A-League squad under coach Vitezslav Lavicka at the start of this season.
Following a number of strong showings during the preseason, he worked his way into the A-League team, making his senior debut against the Newcastle Jets on Sunday 7 November and has since started in six fixtures.
He scored his first A-League goal in last Saturday-s 2-0 win over the Gold Coast at the SFS, a cracking left foot strike in the 32nd minute.
“I am really happy to have signed my first professional contract especially because it is with Sydney FC. The club has been great to me. Vitja gave me a shot when he asked me to join the first team and I have enjoyed every part of it,” Petratos said.
“It has been a big challenge adjusting to the speed and physicality of the A-League but it is something I am enjoying. I am learning every day and with every game.”
Petratos was also a member of the Qantas Young Socceroos squad, alongside fellow Sydney FC young guns Terry Antonis, Rhyan Grant and Kofi Danning that finished runner-up at the 2010 AFC U19 Championship in China.
Football has always been an important part of Petratos- life and family. Between the 2009/10 and 2010/11 National Youth League seasons, Petratos played for Sydney Olympic in the New South Wales Premier League remarkably alongside his father Angelo, himself a well credential footballer.
“I have played football since I was very young and my family, especially my Dad and grandfather have been an important part of getting me to this point.
“It was a dream of mine to play with Dad and when we did it was very special. I will never forget it.”
Petratos joins a growing list of young talents at Sydney FC that includes Antonis (17), Danning (19), Grant (19), Sebastian Ryall (21), Matt Jurman (21) and Scott Jamieson (22).
“Dimitri has illustrated that he has got what it takes to be a professional footballer. He has played with confidence and maturity in his first A-League season,” Lugt said.
“We have a host of young and extremely talented players at Sydney FC; Players that will lead our club well into the future.”
Dimitri Petratos
DOB: November 10, 1992
Position: Attacking midfield
Junior Club: Nepean
Previous Club: Sydney Olympic (NSW Premier League)
A-League debut: Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets, Sydney Football Stadium, Sunday 7 November 2010
First A-League goal: Sydney FC v Gold Coast United, Sydney Football Stadium, Saturday 8 January 2011
