EXCLUSIVE: Off contract at season’s end, Sydney FC striker Mark Bridge has hinted he’d like to stay but hasn’t ruled out a move overseas like good mate Danny Vukovic.
To see today's season launch...
Bridge, 24, inked a three year deal at Moore Park in 2008 as one of a raft of new signings by former coach John Kosmina.
Since then, the former grand final winner with Newcastle Jets has become an increasingly influential player alongside fellow striker Alex Brosque.
And while Brosque publicly signed an extension on his contract yesterday to take him up to 2014, his "Killer B" partner's future post next A-League season remains unclear.
"Not sure. I'm off contract at the end of this year. I don't know. I'm just concentrating on Sydney," Bridge told au.fourfourtwo.com at Thursday's Sydney FC season launch.
"So we'll just wait to see how this season pans out ...hopefully I have another season like last year."
As the club's search for an extra target-man drags on, it appears the champions will have to rely on the Bridge-Brosque pairing for at least August as their main strike force.
The club has now conceded the target-man search will likely continue after the start of the new A-League season, which kicks off in two weeks. And Bridge sounded like a man who wouldn't mind extending his contract as well.
"You can't beat being in your home town with your family and friends," he said. "And this team has a connection, we're very close, we have a laugh and do a lot of things together.
"I'm finding it hard to find bad word to say about this club and my life at the moment."
Apart from a brief stint on loan with Tianjin Teda a year ago, Bridge has remained Australian based in his club career.
But the move to Turkey's Konyaspor by his good mate and former Mariner Danny Vukovic could be the catalyst for Bridge to also head abroad.
"He tried to get me to go over," said Bridge with a smile, although he revealed it's been a challenge for the talented shot-stopper to settle in a foreign country.
"He's going alright," said Bridge. "It's early on for him and he's been a bit lonely when I spoke to him.
"But hopefully he'll get used to it. He's over there by himself. He's said it's not what he expected but he always wanted to head to Europe and it's a stepping stone for him."
Konya is a city in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. It is the capital of the Konya Province. Konyaspor recently signed a third keeper as the race for the number one jersey hots up.
"He's a great keeper with a great attitude and very professional. He's not a dumb person," added Bridge, who's known the former Olyroo since childhood.
"He wouldn't go there if he didn't think he'd be able to step onto something bigger and better."
Meanwhile Bridge says some of Sydney's new arrivals have settled in well and he likes their attitude.
Attacking left-sided wingback Scott Jamieson - who attended the same Sydney high school as Bridge - has caught the eye.
"We've always thought he was a good player," said Bridge. "Not many get along with him on the field, he's got a bit of a temper but he's good to have in the team.
"He's very good, very technical. He's a very smart player beyond his years and he's fitted in excellent."
Likewise new midfielder Hiro Moriyasu, who was unveiled as an FC player earlier in the week on a one year deal, has made an impression on Bridge.
Bridge added: "Hiro actually kicked me in his first trial session - I only just got him back last week!
"And he got his first $20 fine for walking in the change-room with his boots on after training."
To see today's season launch...
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