Adelaide United Football Club is delighted to announce that local boy, Osama Malik, has re-signed with the club for two more seasons.
The 24-year-old has made a total of 94 appearances for the club since his arrival and maintains an important part of the Reds’ midfield and defence.
Malik first signed for Adelaide United’s youth squad during the 2008/09 season after making waves at local level with clubs Croydon Kings, West Adelaide, and Adelaide Raiders.
Speaking to the club after signing his contract extension, Malik emphasised his happiness at remaining with United, saying he wholeheartedly believes this current squad can go on and achieve great things.
“I love my football here, I love all my teammates, the coaching staff and the office staff, and it’s a great place to be and I’m looking forward to spending another couple of years here,” Malik said.
“Since I came back (to United) I’ve been part of some quality teams, but I think in terms of team chemistry, I think this is, by far, the best it’s ever been.
“Fortunately, most of us (players) have re-signed and we’ve got a very good squad and one that can push on and hopefully achieve some more things in the next few years.”
Malik also spoke about his future aspirations with the club and how being successful in the Hyundai A-League is just as important as potentially being successful in the Asian Champions League – something he hopes the squad can achieve this season and beyond.
“If we don’t finish in the top three this season, I think it’ll be disappointing for everyone. We definitely have the arsenal in our team to go all the way.”
“We’ve shown in the past that this is a club that can compete in Asia and we’ve made the final as well, but domestic success is also very important for us.
“In the last year or so, I’ve learnt so much under Josep and the coaching staff, but I think I have a lot more to learn from them, so I’m looking forward to improving as a player over the next few years.
“(Over the next few years) I want to become an important part of this team, grow as a person, become a bit more of a leader.”
Adelaide United’s head coach, Josep Gombau, praised Malik’s commitment to the Reds and said securing him for a further two seasons is fantastic news for everyone associated with the club.
“We are so happy that Ossie is staying with us for the next two seasons,” Gombau said.
“He is a player that is from Adelaide and he is a player that brings to us a lot of things inside the field. He can play as a central defender, or he can play as a No. 6, or even as a defensive midfielder.
“To have a player like this, that you can use in so many different positions, is a big thing and it’s very good news for all of our fans and members and everyone inside the club appreciates that he’s staying with us.
“Our players want to be here and we have the team that we want for the next two seasons and now we all have to work really hard to play good football.”
Malik was the club’s rising star of the 2011/12 season, as well as a member of our 2014 Westfield FFA Cup winning squad and we look forward to seeing what else he can achieve here at Adelaide United.
