Red's defence bolstered by Rudan signing
Adelaide United FC has strengthened its defensive resilience ahead of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 Season, after signing experienced former Sydney FC captain and defender Mark Rudan.
Rudan, a former championship winner with Sydney FC, joins United on a contract until the end of the Hyundai-League 2009/10 Season, with a view to an extension into The Reds- 2010 AFC Champions League campaign, his acquisition certain to add steel to a United defence that boasted the best defensive record in the league last season.
The Reds- latest signing comes just a day out from the club-s Hyundai A-League season opener against Perth Glory tomorrow night, and ends the club-s search for a player in the mould of former defender Sasa Ognenovski, who departed the club at the end of last season to play with Seongnam Ilhwa in Korea.
Despite being touted as having to fill the shoes of Ognenovski, the 33 year old says he feels no pressure stepping into a leadership role in United-s defence.
While Rudan is now officially an Adelaide United player, he will not line up against the Glory tomorrow night, the 33 year old departing for Sydney later this afternoon to organise his relocation to Adelaide.
United Coach Aurelio Vidmar says Rudan brings a number of fantastic attributes to the club, and will prove to be of ‘massive help- to the team.
“We-re very pleased to have signed Mark. He gives us a lot of experience and a hell of a lot of leadership, and he-s going to be a great addition to the squad so we-re really pleased, and hopefully in the next couple of weeks he-ll get up to scratch and be ready to go,” Vidmar said on his latest signing.
“He-s had a run around with us this week and he looks in pretty good shape. For someone who is 33 years of age, he looks like a youngster in terms of the way he looks after himself and the way he is moving.”
After being invited by Vidmar to spend some time to train with the squad, Rudan has been in Adelaide since Monday, his medical test and performances on the track convincing the Adelaide United Coach that he would add significant benefit to the club, including knowing what it takes to win a championship.
“I know what it takes to win one (a championship) so if I can pass on my experiences and so forth to the boys, I-ll be doing that in abundance so that is the main aim, to win the league,” Rudan said.
“I-ve been very impressed with the club. Viddie and his coaching staff made me feel very welcome. It-s a family friendly club, very professional and I was surprised by the level of professionalism here as well as the standard of the players, so I-m really looking forward to it.”
As well as a physically imposing figure and a confronting ‘no backward step- attitude, Rudan brings a wealth of experience to The Reds having played for five overseas clubs, which included stints in Japan-s top league the J-League and most recently Switzerland-s Axpo Super League.
Ironically, Rudan scored the deciding goal against Adelaide United back in 2006, which sent Sydney FC to the grand final and then winning the championship in the Hyundai A-League-s inaugural season, and now he will be hoping to help The Reds capture their first Hyundai A-League championship trophy.
United-s tilt towards the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 championship commences on Friday night (7 August) against Perth Glory at Hindmarsh Stadium (Kick-Off 7.30pm ACST).
Adelaide United 2009/10 memberships and tickets for the match against the Glory are available through Venue*Tix (call 8225 8888 or online at www.venuetix.com.au).
Mark RUDAN
Date of Birth - 27 August 1975 (Sydney) Age - 33 Position - Defender Height - 192cm Weight - 89kg Junior Club - Sydney United
Club History
2009 FC Vaduz (Switzerland) 2008 Avispa Fukuoka (Japan) 2005-08 Sydney FC (Hyundai A-League) 2004 Selangor Public Bank (Malaysia) 2002-04 Sydney United (NSL) 2002 Nanjing (China) 2000-02 Alemannia Aachen (Germany) 1998-2000 Northern Spirit (NSL) 1993-1998 Sydney United (NSL)
Additional Information
Hyundai A-League appearances - 50 (5 goals) Former Sydney FC Captain, 2005-07 Member of Sydney FC-s squad for AFC Champions League, 2007 Hyundai A-League Champions, 2005/06 (Sydney FC) Member of Sydney FC-s squad for FIFA Club World Cup, 2005 OFC Club Championship winners, 2005 (Sydney FC) Debut Hyundai A-League Appearance - 28 August 2005 v Melbourne Victory Debut Hyundai A-League Goal - 2 September 2005 v New Zealand Knights Member of Australian U/20 squad for FIFA World Youth Championships, 1995 Represented Qantas Young Socceroos (Australia U/20) Australian Institute of Sport, 1992-93