Jordan Elsey rose to the indignity of starting all over again under new Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz who seemingly wanted to know more about his character

Jordan Elsey revealed coach Marco Kurz reminded him how important he was to Adelaide United at the start of contract negotiations.

A-LEAGUE SOCCER - Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory at Adelaide Oval. Referee holds back Jordan Elsey and Besart Berisha. Picture Sarah Reed

JORDAN Elsey’s ambition to play in Europe has not clouded his judgment of signing a three-year extension with Adelaide United less than 12 months after was regarded as a triallist.

Elsey, 24, rose to the indignity of starting all over again under then new coach Marco Kurz who seemingly wanted to know more about the SA defender’s character rather than his ability in preseason where just eight players turned upin the first week at Elizabeth.

He was in 2017 off contract and considered a high risk player after fighting his way back from two anterior cruciate knee ligament injuries but almost a year later Elsey became one of Kurz’s key men in holding the troops together in times of crisis.

He featured in 33 matches in the A-League and FFA Cup and won the armband twice in the final two rounds where the Reds had a 100 per cent record.

Elsey revealed Kurz reminded him how important he was to Adelaide at the start of contract negotiations.

“I think the club is going in the right direction with this new ownership and the players that we have in the core squad,’’ Elsey said.

“I never thought about joining another A-League club just because it’s a small league, I’m happy here and happy with the coach.

“Playing in Adelaide is the way I’ll progress and get to playing overseas.

“I had a few offers (from other A-League clubs) but I was always leaning towards Adelaide.”

Elsey is now the Reds longest serving player becoming a professional in 2013 after starting out as a youth team player when he was 16.

The Reds defender will wind up this season on Friday with a team barbecue.

The squad then takes a break before returning to preseason training on June 25 under Kurz.

Elsey said he would take a holiday in Bali with some teammates and thinking about the new season ahead where he again wants to become part of the United leadership group.

“With this three year deal I want to become more mature and step up to become one of the older experienced boys they can look up to, so we can guide each other,’’ Elsey said.

“But wearing the armband and thinking about it since I was a kid was a good feeling to lead the boys out and we won two from two games.

“There’s games where I’m not wearing it and I still feel like a leader out there.”

Follow @ValMigliaccio