Perth Glory is delighted to confirm that midfielder Giordano Colli has re-signed with the club for a further two years.
The former captain of the PGFC Academy First Team made his senior Glory debut during the 2020 AFC Champions League having been a joint-winner of the NPL WA Men’s Gold Medal earlier that year.
His ISUZU UTE A-League debut, meanwhile, came in Round 4 of last season and he ended the campaign having made 20 appearances, 13 of which were starts.
He also opened his A-League goalscoring account with a superb free-kick against Macarthur FC.
The 22-year-old, who was named DT38 Under-23 Player of the Year at last month’s Most Glorious Player Awards, is now looking forward to helping drive his hometown club forward over the next two years.
“I’m delighted to sign again with the club that I supported and used to go and watch as a little kid,” he said.
“I’m confident that [Head Coach] Ruben Zadkovich and the rest of the coaching team will have us pushing towards where we should be next season and that’s playing Finals football.
“The circumstances were difficult for the club last season, but on a personal note, I was very happy to play 20 games and now I’m looking to build on that, help the team and mature even more as a player.
“I want to grow more as a player in the team and in the league.”
Zadkovich feels that Colli is fully deserving of the chance to take the next steps on his professional journey here in the West.
“This contract is a reward for all the effort Gio has put in,” he said, “and I’m really happy for him.
“Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen nothing but hard work and commitment from him and last season he took the opportunity he was given.
“Gio shares the right mentality in terms of how hard we all need to work in order to take this club to where it needs to be.
“There is plenty of room for improvement in his game and that’s what makes him such an exciting prospect.”
Glory Head of Recruitment Andy Keogh, meanwhile, has been similarly impressed by Colli’s desire to improve.
“G has shown through his dedication and attitude in training that it is possible to establish yourself in the first team,” he said.
“He epitomises what we expect from our younger players regardless of any individual’s ability.
“He deserves this reward and we look forward to him developing further and becoming a real asset to this great club.”
Further squad announcements will be made shortly.
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