Western United Football Club sign Australian-born Turkish international Ersan Gulum ahead of its first season
Western United Football Club (WUFC) is delighted to announce the signing of seven-time Turkish international Ersan Gulum, who will return to his home town of Melbourne for the Club’s inaugural season starting October 2019, playing a key role in developing a group of new young team mates.
Gulum (b. 17 May 1987) began his career playing football for Hume City as an 18-year-old, rapidly progressing up the ranks to land in the Turkish Super League team Manisaspor in 2005. This started a decade long stint in Turkey, including qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, making 15 appearances in the UEFA Europa League and winning two league titles.
Still only 31, the Australian-born Turkish international, while on loan from Chinese Super League club Hebei, made 22 appearances for Adelaide United in the 2017-18 Hyundai A-League season. Most recently, he opted for a coaching role at Whittlesea United while continuing intense training.
Assistant Coach, John Hutchinson, said: “Ersan Gulum is exactly the player we have been searching for to play a key role at our new club. Ersan has had a very successful career at big clubs in Turkey and then China as well as an outstanding season in the Hyundai A-League already.
“Ersan is a quality defender who is very comfortable on the ball. In addition, he has an infectious character and brings so much international experience from great players and teams he has played with. We will be looking to Ersan to drive the moulding of our team and culture on and off the park.”
On his appointment, Gulum said it’s an incredible opportunity to be involved in one of the most exciting new A- League clubs and to return home to Melbourne.
“I am a Melbourne born and bred boy and see so much excitement and appeal in the communities of the West for this new A-League club Western United. I met with the coaching staff and articulated their vision for the club, and for my role, which has reinvigorated my appetite to play in the A-League,” Gulum said.
“I like what the plans are, I see the talent that this club has already secured, and I have been charged by the coaches to take a strong role in helping these young players become seasoned professionals. I am excited to start training; in fact, I cannot wait until July to meet my new team mates.”
“I hope my many friends and fans get behind me and my new Western United Football Club,” he continued. WUFC will join the Hyundai A-League from the start of the 2019/20 season beginning in October this year.
