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Newcastle Jets are pleased to announce the capture of experienced defender Daniel Mullen on a four-month contract through to the completion of Hyundai A-League season 10.
Mullen links with the men from Hunter Stadium a day after mutually agreeing to part ways with 2014 AFC Champions League winners, and rival Hyundai A-League club, Western Sydney Wanderers.
Mullen, 25, developed his football in his home state of South Australia before grooming his talent at the Australian Institute of Sport. The imposing defender – who can play in a variety of positions across the backline – linked with Adelaide United in 2008 and went on to make over 50 appearances for the team from Coopers Stadium.
In 2012 Mullen shifted to the Chinese Super League to ply his trade with Dalian Aerbin, and while he remained contracted to the ‘Blue Hawks’ in China’s south until early last year, Mullen spent time back in Australia on loan with Melbourne Victory in 2013.
Mullen spent the most part of last year contracted to Wanderers, and played an important role in their 2014 AFC Champions League success. Indeed, Mullen played the full 90 minutes in the red and black’s first leg Final win over Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at a packed Parramatta Stadium.
Mullen then travelled and played with Wanderers at the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup held in Morocco in December.
New Newcastle recruit Mullen said he hopes to show leadership on and off the pitch during his initial tenure with the Jets.
“For me I am looking at this as a great experience,” Mullen said. “I had a good time at Western Sydney Wanderers where I enjoyed a lot of success in winning the ACL [AFC Champions League] with the team. But it’s time to move on and I see Newcastle as a place that I can help the team move forward.”
“I will definitely be looking to show leadership skills during my time with the Jets. I do think I have quite a bit of experience in the [Hyundai] A-League, so I am looking to be a leader on and off the field.”
“First and foremost I want to be a positive influence on the team. I am a fresh face coming in so I am looking forward to bringing in all the positivity that I have shown at my past clubs.”
“If I can play the majority of games and perform consistently for the team I will be happy on a personal level, but it’s important that we give back to the fans that have shown so much support to the Club, too,” Mullen said.
Newcastle Jets mentor Phil Stubbins said he was pleased to reconnect with Mullen who he previously worked with at Adelaide United.
"Daniel is someone I know well from Adelaide, I was involved in giving him his promotion to the first team and he came in and had a really good impact on the team. I know the kid, he comes from a good family, I respect his father Joe as a real football person and I am pleased to be able to bring Daniel to the Jets." he said.
"I am pleased Daniel wants to be part of taking this club forward and this initial contract will allow us to have a good look at him over the coming 12 games."
Mullen trained with his new teammates for the first time this morning and will be in contention for the Newcastle Jets next Hyundai A-League match versus Brisbane Roar on this Friday, 6th February at Hunter Stadium.
Stubbins is a mentor???