Sutherland Sharks captain Jacob Tratt has rejoined Sydney FC on a short-term injury replacement contract.
Tratt captained Sydney FC’s youth team to the 2014 title and was part of the club’s 2015-16 A-League-winning squad.
He joined Wellington Phoenix the following season but had his contract mutually terminated due to personal reasons. Tratt returned to Australia having played every minute of Wellington’s 2016-17 campaign until he suffered an ankle injury.
Tratt returned to Sutherland for the 2018 NSW NPL 1 season where he captained the club he had played with for three years from 2013 to 2015.
The 24-year-old defender will provide defensive cover for Steve Corica’s side after centre-half Ben Warland suffered a foot injury last month.
Tratt, who will wear the number 18 shirt, underwent a successful trial with the Sky Blues and said he was delighted to be back at the club.
“I’m very happy to be back and to have all my family and friends around me, being family orientated, is a blessing,” he said.
“To be able to play for the biggest club in the country and to be surrounded by family and friends, I couldn’t be happier.
“You can see that everyone at the club has purpose to what they are doing every day and you feed off that mentally.
“I would like to get some game time and show what I’ve got and eventually extend that contract.”
Head coach Corica, who made Tratt his captain when coach of the successful 2013-14 youth league-winning side, was thrilled to be working with Tratt again.
“Jacob is an excellent player and will fit into our winning culture and strengthen our defensive options,” he said.
“I’ve known him for a number of years now and he is a fantastic person who is fully deserving of this opportunity to be a part of our squad.”
