Melbourne Heart FC has received a massive boost after re-signing defender Michael Marrone for the next two Hyundai A-League seasons.
Melbourne Heart FC has received a massive boost after re-signing defender Michael Marrone for the next two Hyundai A-League seasons.
An outstanding right back, the 25-year old has extended stay with the Club until the end of the 2013/14 season, joining a number of his peers who have resisted the overtures of rivals to recommit to the Heart cause.
With the Red and White building a formidable yet youthful core, the extension of Marrone-s stay in Melbourne is an affirmation of the Club-s commitment to stability and continuity.
Head Coach John van ‘t Schip said: “Michael is obviously a player of the highest quality, and clearly one of our strongest performers.
“He received formal interest from three Hyundai A-League clubs, so the Club is delighted he has elected to extend his stay beyond this season.
“Given the Club-s ambitions beyond this season, it is crucial Heart is able to retain the players it consider key cornerstones of future success, and Michael certainly fits that description.
“His strength, pace and technical ability have earmarked him as a competition leader in his position, placing him in contention for international recognition in the years to come.”
Marrone, who played his 50th match in Red and White over the weekend, is Heart-s all-time appearance leader, and among its most consistent performers during the past two seasons.
Having been the subject of much publicised interest from abroad last year, Marrone-s re-signing provides further evidence of the Hyundai A-League-s increased ability to retain its leading lights, which has contributed to the unprecedented standard of play this season.
