Gold Coast United signing Oskar Dillon says presence of Michael Thwaite and Kristian Rees was key

RISING defender Oskar Dillon says the opportunity to learn from former A-League defenders Michael Thwaite and Kristian Rees proved too hard to ignore after signing with Gold Coast United.

GOLD Coast United signing Oskar Dillon says the opportunity to learn from former A-League defenders Michael Thwaite and Kristian Rees proved too hard to ignore as he weighed his 2019 future.

Less than three weeks after helping the NPL-bound Gold Coast Knights claim the Premier League double, Dillon yesterday put rumours to bed when he joined Thwaite and Knights teammate Justyn McKay as United’s third off-season recruit.

With new coach Rees and Thwaite both experienced at A-League level, the 19-year-old centre back said he would lean on them for guidance in next season’s NPL campaign.

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Gold Coast United signing Oskar Dillon.

“I think with Kristian and Thwaitey at the club, they can help me a lot, both being A-League centre backs,” Dillon, who has spent time with Palm Beach/Gold Coast City and Brisbane Roar Youth, said.

“And that’s where I want to get to eventually, the A-League, so the decision to join United was a pretty simple one really.”

Rees said he as “very excited” to have Dillon at the club.

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Gold Coast United coach Kristian Rees. Picture: Richard Gosling

“I’ve been with him since his time at Palm Beach and seen him develop into a player with huge potential.,” he said.

“His game is still evolving and now he’ll have the opportunity to play next to a former Socceroo, which will only help him grow further. If he works hard off the field on his core work and looks after his body and mentally wants to apply himself, I believe he can go to another level.

“He’s exactly the type of young player from the Gold Coast I want at the club.”