STRIKER starlet Nathan Burns has signed up to stay at Adelaide for the next two years after spurning alternative offers elsewhere - but he may yet head overseas.
While Adelaide United Coach Aurelio Vidmar and the club is delighted to have secured the 19 year old’s signature, they are supportive of Burns’ ambitions to play abroad in order to pursue his goal of eventually playing at a higher level in Europe.
“We’re delighted to have Nathan sign on with the club and are especially pleased with the fact that he has decided to stay at the club that gave him his first opportunity,” Vidmar said.
“We’re looking forward to seeing Nathan produce some of his best football in this time and while the club would love to have him playing with Adelaide United, we encourage him to try his luck overseas.”
But he added: “If Nathan is able to secure a contract overseas that he is happy with then we will not stand in his way.
"Of course if that doesn’t eventuate he will continue to develop and be a very valuable player for our club over the coming years.
"That one of the A League’s best players has chosen to remain with us speaks volumes about Nathan’s character and of our club and the environment we have worked hard to create since our inception.”
The agreement represents an excellent outcome for both Burns and Adelaide United, with the club retaining one of Australia’s hottest young prospects while it gives Burns the opportunity to chase his dream of playing professionally abroad.
Burns has attracted serious interest from all of the A-League clubs but his signing confirms that Adelaide United are his club if he remains in Australia.
Burns stormed onto the scene in his debut season after signing for United as an 18 year old prior to the 2006/07 season, finishing as United’s equal top goal scorer and becoming one of the league’s leading strikers.
Born in Blayney in country NSW, Burns has had a quick rise to becoming one of the nation’s prominent young talents.
He is a current member of the Qantas Under 23’s and is also a capped Socceroo having made an appearance against Singapore in a lead up match to the 2007 Asian Cup. Burns has played a total of 35 A-League appearances, scoring 9 goals.
“We’re delighted to have Nathan sign on with the club and are especially pleased with the fact that he has decided to stay at the club that gave him his first opportunity,” Vidmar said.
“We’re looking forward to seeing Nathan produce some of his best football in this time and while the club would love to have him playing with Adelaide United, we encourage him to try his luck overseas.”
But he added: “If Nathan is able to secure a contract overseas that he is happy with then we will not stand in his way.
"Of course if that doesn’t eventuate he will continue to develop and be a very valuable player for our club over the coming years.
"That one of the A League’s best players has chosen to remain with us speaks volumes about Nathan’s character and of our club and the environment we have worked hard to create since our inception.”
The agreement represents an excellent outcome for both Burns and Adelaide United, with the club retaining one of Australia’s hottest young prospects while it gives Burns the opportunity to chase his dream of playing professionally abroad.
Burns has attracted serious interest from all of the A-League clubs but his signing confirms that Adelaide United are his club if he remains in Australia.
Burns stormed onto the scene in his debut season after signing for United as an 18 year old prior to the 2006/07 season, finishing as United’s equal top goal scorer and becoming one of the league’s leading strikers.
Born in Blayney in country NSW, Burns has had a quick rise to becoming one of the nation’s prominent young talents.
He is a current member of the Qantas Under 23’s and is also a capped Socceroo having made an appearance against Singapore in a lead up match to the 2007 Asian Cup. Burns has played a total of 35 A-League appearances, scoring 9 goals.
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