Nikolai Topor-Stanley signs with Lambton Jaffas in NPL

Topor-Stanley has signed with the Jaffas for the rest of this season, with an option to play again next year.

The 38-year-old, who announced his retirement late in the season with Western United and played his final game on April 29, racked up 380 matches in the A-League.

The news comes as sixth-placed Jaffas are locked in a seven-way battle to make the top five finals with seven rounds remaining.

Jaffas host Broadmeadow on Sunday but Topor-Stanley is not expected to debut for the club until the following round against Lake Macquarie at home on July 1.

The three-time Jets player of the year and four-time Socceroo, who is moving his family back to Newcastle, was expected to link with Jaffas after the club were rumoured to have won the race to sign him months ago.

"It is a huge coup for the Jaffas to have a player of the standing of Nikolai join us," Jaffas coach David Tanchevski said. "All of the squad can't wait to welcome Nikolai into the team. He'll make an immense impact to us, both on and off the field."

Meanwhile, Broadmeadow added to their region-leading Australia Cup record with a 3-0 win over Maitland on Wednesday night to make the round of 32 national draw. They join Edgeworth, who beat Newcastle Olympic 2-1 in extra time on Tuesday night, as Northern NSW representatives in the knockout.

Broadmeadow were in control early at Magic Park after James Cresnar scored off a flick-on from Sam Donnellan in the 15^th minute and Jayden Stewardson tapped in when Bailey Wells' shot was spilled in the 18th.

Riley Smith made it 3-0 in the 70^th minute after Donnellan pounced on a poor pass at the back and found the striker for the finish.

It is the seventh time in nine years of the FFA/Australia Cup that Magic have made the last 32. Edgeworth have made it five times.

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