Josh Mitchell has been given a provisional registration from FIFA which means the Perth Glory defender is now available to be selected for Saturdays match against the Newcastle Jets at nib Stadium (formerly ME Bank Stadium).
Josh Mitchell has been given a provisional registration from FIFA which means the Perth Glory defender is now available to be selected for Saturdays match against the Newcastle Jets at nib Stadium (formerly ME Bank Stadium).
Mitchell, 26 years old, hasn-t been allowed to play in the first two matches this season because of a contract dispute with his former Romanian club Universtatea Craiova.
Perth Glory is hopeful that Michael Baird, who also played for Craiova will receive his provisional registration later this week.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mitchell said he would probably buy Baird a consolation beer after getting his clearance ahead of the striker, despite submitting his paperwork later.
“Michael’s been unlucky you know, he’s the one that had the ball rolling first but it just hasn’t worked out for him so far, but I think it’s very, very close,” Mitchell said.
“It’s been a long wait. It’s been a long time between drinks so can’t wait to get out there.”
“(But) this gives us the right to play in the Hyundai A-League without a problem.”
Mitchell said that despite playing for Craiova for almost four years, he wasn’t given any favours when attempting to leave.
“Football’s different in Europe, especially in Eastern Europe,” he said.
“We just saw what happened with Danny Vukovic, that sort of thing happens in Turkey, Romania, Greece all the time.”
“We played and we did well but the club went through some financial difficulties and we hung in there for a while and tried to do our best.”
“But there comes a time when enough’s enough and we just had to bite the bullet and go through the appropriate avenues to get out and further our career,” he said.
