St George and Sutherland Shire fans will have plenty more chances to see Milos Ninkovic in action after the Sydney FC star rejected interest from new A-League franchise Macarthur FC to sign a new two-year contract with the Sky Blues.
The re-signing is a huge boost to Sydney FC who will tackle a busy schedule over the Christmas and New Year period including two games at Kogarah.
The Sky Blues host Melbourne City on December 29 and Adelaide United on January 4 at Jubilee Stadium.
The 34-year-old, a former winner of the Johnny Warren and Alex Tobin medals, has played in some huge matches in his career in Europe for Red Star Belgrade and Dynamo Kyiv. Ninkovic also represented Serbia at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa where he played against Australia.
He also famously scored the winning penalty in the 2017 A-League grand final and has won two titles with the Sky Blues. Ninkovic's new contract will see him play seven seasons with Sydney before ending his career.
That scenario looked unlikely after Ninkovic told Fox Sports after Sydney's rout of Brisbane at Kogarah earlier this month that he had an offer on the table from Macarthur FC, reportedly a lucrative two-year deal with an option for a third, with the club to enter the A-League next season.
But Ninkovic said he was "incredibly happy" at Sydney FC and pleased to have committed his future to the club until the end of his career.
"This club is a family to me and I have had a lot of support from many members and everyone inside the club in recent weeks," Ninkovic said.
"We have an unbelievable squad of players, fantastic coaches and fitness staff and a great club culture and I think we can go on and win more trophies this season and beyond.
"Now I can look forward to the rest of the season and enjoy my football knowing my future with Sydney FC is secured."
I'm incredibly happy here at Sydney FC and very pleased to have committed my future to the club.
- Milos Ninkovic
Sydney FC head coach Steve Corica said he was delighted Ninkovic had agreed to stay with the defending champions.
"He is without doubt one of the greatest players to ever play for the club and it is fitting that he will remain with us for the rest of his career," Corica said.
"In my mind I didn't ever think he would leave and it is a huge boost for us heading into a some very important games over the Christmas and New Year period."
