Western United defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley will finish up his A-League Men’s career at the end of this season.
Topor-Stanley’s career has spanned 17 years since his debut for Sydney FC in 2006, taking him to Perth Glory, Newcastle Jets, Western Sydney Wanderers and then Western United as well as Hatta Club in the United Arab Emirates.
The 38-year-old has racked up an incredible 379 appearances in the A-League, just one game less than Leigh Broxham on the all-time appearances list.
Topor-Stanley said he will carry fond memories with him for the rest of his life after football.
“I’m immensely proud and grateful for the life football has given me. It’s allowed me to travel the world, given me perspective, allowed me to develop character I never knew possible, and most importantly led me to meet my wife and have a family,” he said.
“I’ve come to terms with retirement as it’s something that I’ve been contemplating for a few months now, so I’m at peace with my decision.
“It would be remiss of me to not acknowledge all the people that I’ve encountered that have helped me become the man I am today. To all of you, thank you.”
Topor-Stanley has been one of the league’s leading centre-backs for a number of years, having been a part of five grand final campaigns in his career.
He has played 21 times for United across its championship campaign last season, wearing the captain’s armband on a handful of occasions before injury cruelly robbed him of the chance to play during the finals series.
Topor-Stanley has followed that up with 14 appearances so far this season, remaining a key leader in the dressing room with his experience at the highest level.
Western United football general manager Mal Impiombato celebrated Topor-Stanley’s decorated career and the impact he has had on United in the past two seasons.
“Nikolai will go down as a legend of Australian football and it is a bittersweet moment to see him step away from the game,” he said.
