Sydney FC has beaten off a host of clubs to sign talented young left back Alex Gersbach on a two year deal, after the recently turned 17 year old impressed Head Coach Graham Arnold during a series of trials with the Sky Blues.

 

Rated as one of the 20 best young players in the country, Gersbach was chosen to represent the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) where he picked up the Players’ Player of the Year award last season.

 

The defender will fill one of the dedicated under 20 positions in the first team, having made his debut for the club on Wednesday night in the 5-1 win over the Macarthur Rams.

 

“It’s a dream come true to have signed for Sydney FC, the club I always supported growing up,” he said.

 

“I had no hesitation in signing when the club offered me a contract. To have the chance to play for and perform at the biggest club in the country is an honour and I hope to be able to show that I’m equal to the challenge.

 

“I hope I can prove to Graham, to the club and to the Members and fans that I am good enough to play well at the top level.”

 

Gersbach began his footballing career playing for Miranda Magpies and the Sutherland Sharks, before moving to the New South Wales Institute of Sport for a year and then onto the AIS.

 

Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold is a big believer in bringing young talent through through the ranks and thinks Gersbach has a bright future ahead of him.

 

“Alex is a talented young player,” Arnold said.  “We beat off competition from a number of other A-League clubs to his signature which goes to show just how highly he is rated.

 

“It demonstrates that we want to give the best young talent from New South Wales the opportunity to play professional football.

 

“As a club we are determined to invest time and money into identifying these young players in the hope they can go on to play and represent Sydney FC at the very highest level.

 

“Alex and his family believe in what we are trying to achieve here and how we are looking to develop Australia’s next generation of the best young players in the country.

 

“He has a great chance to show us what he can achieve and hopefully this is only the beginning for him.”

 

Gersbach has represented Australia at under 17’s (Joey’s) level and will fill one of three under 20’s slots in the Sydney FC first team squad.

 

Profile

Name – Alex Gersbach

DOB – 8/5/1997

Place of birth – Sydney

Junior Clubs – Miranda Magpies, Sutherland Sharks, NSWIS, AIS

National Team – Australian U-17’s

Honours – AIS Player of the Year (Season 2013/14).