The Australian youth international played professionally in Croatia before linking with the Jets in early 2016 and has featured 21 times in the A-League since his debut against Adelaide United. He's since scored twice for the side.

Today the former NK Osijek player said that he was delighted to have recommitted to the club until 2019, and said he wants to use the next two years in the Hunter as a springboard back to Europe. 

“I am really looking forward to staying here for the next two years and hopefully helping the club make it to the finals,” he said after the deal was finalised.

“I feel that I have hit a bit of form over the past few weeks, but I definitely think there is another step or level for me which I am hoping to get to in the second half of this season.

“My goal has always been to play in the UEFA Champions League, so I definitely want my performances here in the A-League to help take me back to Europe and perhaps one day to a club that competes in that competition."

Jets coach Mark Jones believes strongly in Ugarkovic’s ability, he said, and feels he has the potential to develop into one of the league’s dominant homegrown players. 

“He has shown a lot of potential this year,” Jones said. “He is obviously an extremely good athlete and he is competitive, but we’re excited to work with him over the next two years because we think we can help him to become a better footballer technically.

“Other clubs were interested in Steven but he chose to stay in Newcastle, and to me that has demonstrated his commitment to the Jets.

"We want to play people who want to commit to our club long term and be part of what we’re about for the future.

“We are committed to giving players, especially young players, a great opportunity to showcase themselves. Newcastle is a good place for talented youth to play football and test themselves, and Steven is a fine example of that."