Tara Murray
Western United vice-captain Josh Risdon will remain at the club for a further two A-League seasons after signing a contract extension.
One of the club’s original players, Risdon has signed until the end of the 2023-24 season in a big boost for the club.
The 29-year-old said he is delighted to commit more of his career to the club and continue to lead the group into the coming years.
“I’m very happy to be hanging around here at the club,” he said. “It means a lot to be at this club, we have a good bunch of boys and the club’s heading in an exciting direction, so I want to be a part of that.
“Being one of the first to sign at the club, and now being more of a leader around the group it was a big decision for me to stay, and that was obviously a big factor.
“I feel like I can help the players around me and help the club do well in that leadership role. I’m very happy to be staying here, I’m very settled in Melbourne with my family, so I’m delighted.”
Risdon, who has represented the Socceroos, said the faith the club had shown in him in offering him a new contract after not playing for 12 months, was a massive factor in him staying.
Risdon added that he is excited about the future of the club.
“We want to be making finals every year, that’s a standard where we want to be,” he said. I think we have the squad for that this season,” he said.
“We’re still a young club, people forget that, but I think we have the ambition, the facilities and everything at the club to be successful.”
Coach John Aloisi said Risdon’s re-signing is massive for the club and shows the positive direction in which the club is going.
“I am very happy for both Josh and the club that he’s put pen to paper and agreed to stay on with us,” Aloisi said.
“Josh embodies the values of Western United every day both on and off the pitch. It was important for us that a leader like Josh remains at the club to set the tone and I know he will continue to be a huge influence around the place.”
