MARK Birighitti has returned from Italy and is intent on resuming his career at the Newcastle Jets.
The 24-year-old keeper, who had been on loan at Serie B club Varese, told the Herald on Friday that he had accepted a like-for-like offer from new owners Football Federation Australia for the final year of his Jets contract.
‘‘I’m excited at the chance of a fresh start in Newcastle,’’ he said from Perth, where he has been visiting family.
‘‘Perth were an option, and there were others, but I felt the best move was to head back to Newcastle.’’ - – MARK BIRIGHITTI
‘‘I have been thinking about it for the past couple of weeks. ‘‘I had options in the A-League and also in Europe, but the news on Thursday regarding the appointment of Scott Miller [coach] and Jean-Paul de Marigny [assistant] made my mind up.
‘‘I feel they have the right qualities to get the best out of myself and everyone else that has signed at the Jets.
‘‘I think we can be a real force in the coming season.’’
The Jets player of the year for the 2013-14 season, Birighitti would have been a free agent had he not agreed to carry across his contract.
‘‘Perth were an option, and there were others, but I felt the best move was to head back to Newcastle,’’ he said.
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‘‘I played my best football there and love the place and the people.
‘‘With the Jets’ passionate fans and members, I didn’t want to go to another club.
Birighitti, despite starting only two games, had no regrets about his move to Italy.
‘‘Italy was a fantastic experience, don’t get me wrong,’’ he said. ‘‘I learned a whole new game over there.
‘‘But I feel for me and my career, coming back to Newcastle is the right move. It is a fresh start under new management. I want to achieve big things with this club.’’
A member of the Socceroos’ train-on squad for the 2014 World Cup, Birighitti had lost his starting spot to Ben Kennedy when he left the Jets in January.
Newcastle product Kennedy went on to be one of the Jets’ better performers in a disastrous campaign.
‘‘That is always a challenge,’’ Birighitti said.
‘‘When players are fighting for their position it brings out the best in them.
‘‘I look forward to coming back and getting into it.’’
The Jets are yet to appoint a goalkeeping coach.
‘‘I’m sure Scott Miller and JP are smart operators and will bring in the right person for the job,’’ he said.
‘‘I had a little bit to do with JP when I went away with the Australian under17s.
‘‘We start pre-season Monday and I can’t wait to get into it.’’
The Jets are expected to confirm Birighitti’s deal on Saturday, extending the number of senior players on the roster to 13.
Melbourne City striker-turned-right back Jason Hoffman is the latest to be linked to the club.
The 26-year-old is contracted to City until the end of the 2015-15 season but is understood to be open to a return to his home club.
Miller flew to England on Friday to finalise his move to Newcastle, leaving de Marigny to oversee the opening fortnight of the pre-season.