Welcome to A-Leagues life, where KEEPUP brings you all the latest news and goings on at your club. This is how the week is shaping up across the A-Leagues and beyond.
Former Sydney defender bound for MLS
Former A-Leagues defender Alex Gersbach has made the move across the Atlantic, signing for MLS side Colorado Rapids for a reported €300k (A$462,000).
The six-time Socceroo joins Colorado on a three year deal with a club option for an additional year from French Ligue 2 side Grenoble Foot 38.
During his time at Grenoble, the former Sydney FC full-back tallied 45 appearances and two assists throughout the season-and-a-half he spent there.
“We’re delighted to continue reinforcing our roster with a player like Alex,” said Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager Padraig Smith.
“Alex is a technical fullback who brings a high level of energy and ability to consistently get up and down the flank. We look forward to welcoming him to Colorado and incorporating him into our group.”
The move is Gersbach’s first foray outside of Europe since leaving the Sky Blues in 2016, having spent time at Norwegian side Rosenborg, Dutch outfit NAC Breda, AGF in Denmark and a short loan spell at another French club in RC Lens.
The 25-year-old joins Socceroo defender Milos Degenek (Columbus Crew) and Brad Smith (Houston Dynamo) as Aussies plying their trade in the MLS.
Juande update
Adelaide United’s Juande is in relatively high spirits following surgery on two broken bones in his leg.
The Spanish midfielder broke both his fibula and tibia in his right leg during the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Isuzu UTE A-League leaders Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.
Play was halted for up to 30 minutes as a result of the horror injury and the 36-year-old taken to hospital via ambulance. Juande’s wife flew into Melbourne on Sunday to be with him as he went in for surgery on Monday to repair his broken leg.
According to a club’s spokesperson, Juande is “doing well” post-operation and is “keen to start his recovery once he’s out of hospital”.
The club also confirmed Juande will remain in Melbourne for a few more days before he can return home to Adelaide.
Le Fondre confident Sydney have turned a corner
Is this the win that gets Sydney FC’s season back on track? Adam Le Fondre thinks it could be.
The Sky Blues’ 2-1 triumph over basement side Melbourne Victory has kept the wolves at bay for another week, as they came from behind to defeat their old rivals on the road.
However, Sydney are still yet to string together back-to-back wins this season with inconsistency plaguing their campaign.
But Sydney forward Le Fondre believes the mood inside the camp has shifted following their win over bottom-placed Victory as they look to back up their promising performance against the red-hot Central Coast Mariners.
“This win felt different, and it felt like a real win I think because of the way we performed, the way we defended as a team and of course the result,” Le Fondre said.
“We’ve never really celebrated wins, it was win and move onto the next game. This time around, the relief was there and now there is a belief that something good is around the corner.”
The English striker also spoke glowingly of under-pressure head coach Steve Corica’s ability to ensure results haven’t weighed on his charges minds – making specific reference to when he missed two penalties against Wellington Phoenix earlier in January.
“I’ve been in football long enough to know where the pressure is going to come from,” Le Fondre said.
“The Wellington game for me wasn’t a great game, was it? So, you know, after that I got a barrage of abuse, but it didn’t bother me one bit.
“At Sydney FC we expect great things and we all know how high the bar is here and if you dip below it, you are going to feel pressure.
“Steve has done a fantastic job of shielding the players away from it because it’s quite easy to throw the players under the bus. He hasn’t done that which I think shows great leadership.”
Djite makes bold Gauci statement
If it wasn’t obvious already, Adelaide United goalkeeper Joe Gauci has an enormous future.
Gauci has been the talk of the town over the last few weeks off the back of a number of sensational performances between the sticks for Adelaide – with some even suggesting a Socceroos call-up isn’t far away.
Following the Reds’ 3-3 draw with City on the weekend, former Adelaide Director of Football and Championship-winning striker Bruce Djite spoke glowingly about Gauci and what he would be doing if he was still involved in the club’s set-up.
“If I was director of football, I would be doing everything I can to keep him at the club,” Djite said on Paramount+.
He’s the best goalkeeper in the league, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.
Others may argue but for me, when you look at his prospects, his ability, the club is going to have to throw the kitchen sink at him to get (him to stay).
“I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago, and what I love about Gauci (is) the head on his shoulders. He could be an experienced player, you wouldn’t know.
“He made some comments on how important it is to keep playing, how important it is to get minutes, not wanting to go overseas to a big club to sit on the bench.
“You see kids, a lot of times just take that first opportunity, but for him to be having that thought process: ‘What’s best serving my footballing talents?’ I think that’s really important. I’d be surprised if he’s not in the Socceroos setup these coming months.”
Host Tara Rushton then asked Djite about Gauci’s future beyond this season – with the former striker keeping his answer short and sweet.
Rushton: “Do you see him at the Reds next season, to put you on the spot?”
Djite: “No.”
