THE Newcastle Jets have signed two-time A-League championship-winner and noted flyer Nick Fitzgerald as they look to soup up their attack ahead of the new campaign.
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Fitzgerald was on Tuesday released from the final two years of his contract at Western Sydney and Jets football operations manager Joel Griffiths confirmed that the 27-year-old would be calling Newcastle home until the end of the 2020-21 season.
"Nick has pace to burn and will fit in with the way Ernie (Merrick) likes to play," Griffiths said. "He is at a very good age. He has a two-year-old and another baby on the way. This is an important stage of his career. He has won two grand finals, but I don't think we have seen the best of him. He has plenty of upside."
Fitzgerald, who is expected to put pen to paper on Wednesday, joins Matt Millar as new editions to the strike force. Talks are continuing with a striker from Central America.
"That is the one thing we wanted - speed," Griffiths said. "We lacked a bit of penetration last year, especially when Joey Champness was injured. Nick can go around players or he can beat them on the inside. That is one thing Ernie will emphasise. He will want him running at players and making sure he is getting into the box to get on the end of things. Ernie is really good at getting players into goal-scoring positions."
An Australian representative at under-20 and 23 level, Fitzgerald has made 169 A-League appearances.
He played off the bench in grand-final victories with Brisbane Roar (2011-12) and Central Coast (2012-13) and spent two seasons at Melbourne City before joining Wanderers on a three-year deal.
"He has been stuck in mud for the past couple of years," Griffiths said. "When he burst onto the scene, everyone was raving about him. Hopefully, Ernie and the team can help him realise that potential. Nick needs to score more goals. There is no denying that. He has 13 goals. I want him to score 13 goals in one season, not in his whole career. He has a long road ahead to get to where he needs to be. Once he gets there, he will fly."
In a statement release late Tuesday, Fitzgerald said: "Ernie [Merrick] is well-known for the attacking style of football he likes to play and I'm confident that'll only complement the way I play.
"I've heard great things about the city of Newcastle and I can't wait to get stuck into pre-season come July."
Griffiths rated Fitzgerald a more rounded player than fellow speedsters Kwabena Appiah and Mitch Austin who failed to make an impact in short stints at the Jets.
"Kwabena and Mitch Austin are super fast but that they lacked a bit of finesse," Griffiths said. "Nick has that finesse, he has a decent touch and can turn a game."
Fitzgerald's recruitment could have a domino effect. The Herald understands that left back and recently capped Olyroo Ivan Vujica is seeking a release the Jets and has been linked to a move to new club Western United.
Vujica was stuck behind Daniel Georgievski last season and started in only nine games. The arrival of Millar is likely to result in Johnny Koutroumbis switching from right back to left back this season. Lachy Jackson has also been deployed on the left.
The Jets start pre-season training on July 1.
