WELCOME ANTE COVIC

The Rockdale City Suns FC are pleased to announce the signing of Ante Covic for the 2017 PS4 NPL New South Wales season.

Ante joins Rockdale after returning from Perth where he played 28 matches for the Glory last season and a memorable stint at the Western Sydney Wanderers where Ante won an Asian Champions League title as we as being awarded the AFC Champions League Most Valuable Player.

Ante will bolster an already strengthened backline in 2017. The first opportunity to see Ante in action will be during the upcoming Maso Cup with the tournament kicking off on Friday 27 January at Ilinden Sports Centre at 6pm. FREE ENTRY that night.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA- NOVEMBER 1: Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Ante Covic receives the fair player trophy after winning the second leg of the AFC Champions League 2014 football final with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the King Fahd stadium in Riyadh, on November 1, 2014. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/ Getty Images)

Club career

He formerly played for Hammarby IF in Sweden, as well as Marconi Stallions and Sydney Olympic in Australia’s National Soccer League, PAOK Salonika and AO Kavala in Greece and Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

Newcastle Jets

Covic made his A-League debut in a 3–2 loss to Adelaide United in December 2006 at Hindmarsh Stadium. Čović was the starting goalkeeper for Newcastle Jets in the 2007 season which he won the A-League championship. On 17 March 2009, it was announced that Covic was leaving the Jets for a three-year deal with Swedish club IF Elfsborg.

Melbourne Victory

On 4 October 2011, Covic signed a one-year deal with Melbourne Victory as an injury replacement for Tando Velaphi who was ruled out for 12 weeks. Čović debuted in the opening game for the A-League season against Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium in front of 40,000 in attendance. Covic achieved instant hero status with the home fans when he thwarted Emerton from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute, he was named man of the match in the 0–0 draw. He was again named man of the match after the Melbourne Derby two weeks later.

In the A-League round 5 match between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory in 2011, Covic, along with fellow Victory defender Matthew Foschini, were controversially sent off by referee Ben Williams for challenges against Roar defenders, reducing the Victory to playing with nine men throughout the match.

On 1 May 2012, it was announced new Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou would not resign the veteran goalkeeper, opting to stay with younger goalkeepers Lawrence Thomas and Tando Velaphi. The shock decision came after Covic was awarded the Player’s Player of the Year award at the Melbourne Victory Awards Dinner.

Western Sydney Wanderers

On 2 July 2012, Covic joined A-League expansion club Western Sydney Wanderers on a free transfer. The Wanderers performed above expectations and won the Premier’s Plate in their maiden season, with Čović being named in the inaugural A-League All-Star team. He helped his side to win 2014 AFC Champions League, with keeping 8 clean sheets in 12 matches. At the end of the final which they defeated Al-Hilal, he was named as MVP of the tournament.

Perth Glory

On 8 July 2015, Covic joined Perth Glory.

In June 2016, at the end of his contract, Covic decided to leave Perth Glory to return east to be closer to his family.

Rockdale City Suns FC – Covic signs for 2017 season at RCSFC.

International career

He was part of the Australian squad for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and was Australia’s third choice goalkeeper behind Mark Schwarzer and Željko Kalac for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

He made his debut for Australia against Bahrain on 22 February 2006 in an Asian Cup qualifier. On 22 March 2008 he earned his second cap against Singapore in an international friendly and was captain for part of the second half after Harry Kewell and Jade North left the field. As of 2016, Čović has two international caps with Australia.