A League: Macarthur FC Adam Federici’s secret injury battle

His goalkeeping heroics led to a decorated career spanning the best part of two decades. However, Adam Federici’s brave final chapter was plagued by a painful injury which led to his shock retirement.

After a professional career spanning the best part of two decades, including 16 Socceroos appearances, a closed door pre-season friendly proved to be the undoing of veteran shot-stopper Adam Federici.

The 36-year-old inaugural Macarthur FC Bulls goalkeeper was a shining light in the Campbelltown-based club’s A-League debut with his acrobatic performances making highlight reels and keeping his team in countless matches.

Federici representing the Socceroos in 2016. Picture: Michael Dodge

However, Federici’s sheer determination was masking a painful knee injury which had plagued him during his time with the Bulls.

“He was struggling to play last year, let’s be honest,” coach Ante Milicic said. “There were probably some games he couldn’t make it but he would just put his hand up.

“A couple of times he would say ‘Look mate, don’t expect too much from my kicking game today but I will do my best.”

Milicic said despite the injury concerns he had no hesitation offering Federici the captain’s armband at the end of last season following a string of key departures, an honour the goalkeeper accepted after some consideration.

Federici had been announced as the Bulls’ captain for the upcoming season. Picture: Robert Cianflone

A pre-season friendly fixture against Sydney FC, which the Bulls lost 5 nil, ultimately sealed the goalkeeper’s fate.

Milicic said he saw his leader in a “great deal of pain” at training and had an intuition all wasn’t well

“The next morning when I saw (Federici) heading to the coaches’ room I just sensed this wasn’t good news and ultimately he informed me of his decision,” Milicic said.

“Obviously we were disappointed to lose the best goalkeeper in the league and our newly-appointed captain but at the same time let’s be thankful as a new club in the league we were able to have Adam with us for a season.”

Milicic said there were no clear captaincy candidates for the upcoming season and he will take time to consider the options in the coming weeks.

On Tuesday, Macarthur FC announced the signing of former Western United and Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Filip Kurto for the 2021/22 season.

The Bulls’ next competitive game is an FFA Cup Round of 32 match against NPL Northern NSW club Hamilton Olympic on November 13.

Originally published as A League: Macarthur FC Adam Federici’s secret injury battle