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A-League: Key defender signs two-year deal

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The Newcastle Jets are delighted to announce a new two-year deal for veteran defender, Nikolai Topor-Stanley.

‘Topor’ first joined the Jets back in 2009, and played 81 games for the Club between 2009 and 2012.

Since re-joining the Jets at the beginning of the 2017/18 season, the centre-back hasn’t missed a game for the Club and is currently at 131 appearances for Newcastle.

This new contract will ensure that Topor-Stanley will now remain in Newcastle colours until at least the end of the Hyundai A-League 2020/21 season, and likely become just the second player to tick over 150 appearances for the Club.

Jets boss, Ernie Merrick was happy to have the 33-year-old on board for another season.

“Nikolai is one of the most dependable and consistent players in the squad, it was an easy choice for us,” Merrick said.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley Perth Glory

“His experience and leadership on and off the park is invaluable, he’s a wonderful example to our younger players with his professionalism, work ethic and continued willingness to learn and improve.

“We’ve got a number of young defenders in our squad and Nikolai’s knowledge and understanding of the game is also helping those players develop.”

Topor-Stanley said he was pleased to have secured his future at the Jets.

“It’s a Club that I’ve spent a large part of my career at, across two stints, and I’m happy to have put pen to paper,” Topor-Stanley said.

“The side that’s together now is one I’m proud to be a part of, it’s a strong squad and it’s well set up for success in the not-too distant future.

“My partnership at the back with Boogs [captain, Nigel Boogaard] is continuing to develop nicely and I’m really enjoying my football under Ernie.”