A-League: Milos Ninkovic sticks with Sky Blues

Sydney FC’s Milos Ninkovic will be at the club for another two years after rejecting overtures from Macarthur FC and re-signing

Milos Ninkovic has agreed to play out the rest of his career with Sydney FC

Little more than two months ago he was contemplating the swan song of his career, but his success this campaign has startled Milos Ninkovic into planning for seasons into the future.

Sydney FC’s former Johnny Warren medallist will be at the club for another two years after rejecting overtures from start-up side Macarthur FC and re-signing with the champions for what is certain to be the rest of his playing career.

Admitting he had agonised over the choice, with a longer and more lucrative deal on the table from Macarthur, Ninkovic revealed that even he had been surprised by his own form and fitness — less than a week before he turns 35.

The Serb has been to the fore in Sydney’s title defence, prompting Macarthur to seek to make him a foundation player before their debut season.

“It was a very hard decision — on one side Sydney FC has been my home for so many years, and I have an unbelievable relationship with the players, the staff and the fans,” he said.

“On the other I had a good offer (from Macarthur), and I have a family who I have to look after.

“But in the end, in the time I have been at Sydney FC, the people here aren’t just who I work with, they’re my friends. That’s probably the main reason I stayed.

“It’s a champion team, and you know that every year you will be fighting for the top position. So now I’m just glad that everything is settled and I can move on. It’s been a really tough week, knowing I had to make a decision.

“I want to thank Sydney for the opportunity to finish my career with them, but also Macarthur for the offer — I spoke to Ante Milicic, a nice guy, very honest, and I wish them all the best.”

Milos Ninkovic, centre, after winning the A-League grand final in 2017

Ninkovic revealed that his form this year had prompted him to look to the future, despite having said on the eve of the season that he would stop playing the moment he felt his standards dropping.

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“At my age you can’t really plan anything,” he said. “But even I’ve been surprised by the stats, by how much I’ve been running

“It’s better than last year, and for now I feel great. Maybe next year I’ll feel terrible! But I need to give credit to my teammates, a good group of people.

“They are the reason I am playing well.

“A couple of days ago I spoke to my wife, and said to her that I don’t know what I’ll do when I retire. I really love football and want to keep playing as long as I can.

“Next week I’ll be 35. The end might not be so close but you never know in football.”

Sydney FC coach Steve Corica said Ninkovic was the best to have played in sky blue and the club was desperate to keep him.

“We couldn’t let him go, he’s one of the legends of the club,” Corica said. “He’s been here five years, and is probably one of the best players to go around in the A-League. I’m pretty sure he’ll be at the club for the rest of his playing career and I think beyond that as well.”

The club’s attention now turns to locking down other key players, including Luke Brattan, who is also rumoured to be on Macarthur’s wishlist. Five points clear at the top of the table, Sydney fly to Wellington this weekend to play the Phoenix on Saturday.

The Daily Telegraph