Sydney FC has completed its second signing of the transfer window snapping up former Marseilles defender Jacques Faty until the end of the season.
The Senegalese International centre half spent nine seasons playing in the French first division (Ligue 1), also having spells at Rennes and Sochaux before joining Turkish Super Lig club Sivasspor and latterly Chinese Super League club Wuhan Zall.
“I feel very happy to join this famous team because I’ve heard a lot of good things about Sydney FC.
“I know Del Piero did well in his time there and I know some French players who play in the A-League, Matthieu Delpierre and Falid Ben Khalfallah, who have told me what a big club they are and how good the league is.”
The 30 year old also revealed he will have a familiar face to play alongside when he runs out in Sky Blue.
“It will be an honour to play for Sydney FC and also to join at the same time as my cousin, Mickael Tavares.
“Our mothers are sisters and it will be a double motivation to play well for the team and for each other.
“We used to play together as children and also for Senegal together and now this is another great challenge for us.”
The defender captained France’s under 17 team to World Cup glory in 2001 and says his experience can be an advantage to Sydney FC.
“I’ve played nine years in the top league in France and two years in Turkey. I won the World Cup with the French national under 17’s playing against the likes of Torres, Tevez and Robinho so I have some experience I can bring to the team.
“My best position is central defender, I’m quite quick and I like anticipating and reading the game. I also like to break the lines with my passing.
“I hope to win as many games as possible, to win the Championship and to finish as high up the A-League as possible. I think we can also qualify for the Asian Champions League too.”
Faty joins Sydney FC just days after the club completed the signing of his cousin and Senegalese international team mate Mickael Tavares. Head Coach Graham Arnold is pleased to be able to add extra depth to his defensive stocks.
“Jacques is a very experienced defender having played regularly in one of the top leagues in the world,” he said.
“I am very pleased to be able to add him to our back four as I believe his defensive abilities and leadership qualities will prove extremely valuable to us throughout the remainder of the season.”
The centre half moves to the Sky Blues as an injury replacement for vice captain Sasa Ognenovski.
Jacques will join his new team mates for training this week and will be available for the Sky Blues next game against the Central Coast Mariners on January 24.
Profile
Name: Jacques Faty
Age: 30
Born: February 25th, 1984.
Place of Birth: Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, France.
Nationality: French / Senegalese
Height: 184 cm
Career Apps (Goals)
2002-2007 – Rennes 122 (0)
2007-2008 – Marseilles 9 (0)
2008-2011 – Sochaux 83 (3)
2011-2013 – Sivasspor 17 (0)
2013 – Bastia (loan) 12 (0)
2013 – 2015 – Wuhan Zall 34 (4)
2015 – Sydney FC
THE BIG GAME PACK – Sydney FC face some tough competition in a short space of time and we have bundled the games together for a great package, with savings of over 30% on single game ticket purchases. See the Sky Blues take on the Melbourne Victory, Central Coast Mariners, Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City for a discounted price and receive exclusive Members’ benefits! For all Membership related enquiries, please email membership@sydneyfc.com or call 1300 4 SYD FC
