Western United Football Club secures the signature of Hyundai A-League Goalkeeper of the Year, Filip Kurto
Western United Football Club (WUFC) has today announced Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Filip Kurto has signed a two year deal to join the club for its first season.
Kurto (b. 14 June 1991) was last night crowned Goalkeeper of the Year at the Dolan Warren Awards after a breakaway debut season with the Phoenix.
Having spent most of his professional career in the Netherlands, Kurto’s European experience will be central to the already strong defensive unit WUFC has been able to build over the last few months.
The Polish international has already impressed local coaches in his first season in Australia between the sticks. Kurto lead the Hyundai A-League with more than 80-saves this season.
Kurto said while he enjoyed his time in Wellington, the new responsibility at WUFC was something he was most looking forward to.
“I am really excited to be joining Western United in their first ever team,” he said. “This is a very big honour for me after the great season I had in Wellington to move to Victoria. Thank you to the coaches for observing me and believing in me to take such a big responsibility with this new team.”
WUFC assistant coach John Anastasiadis said the entire coaching staff were looking forward to having such a power shot-stopper in the squad.
“Filip has been simply outstanding in his first ever A-League season,” he said. “We [John Hutchinson and John Anastasiadis] are very lucky he was only on a one-year deal with his former club because it can be very difficult to secure a goalkeeper of his quality.”
“Filip, alongside our young star, James Delianov, will give us tremendous security in the goalkeeping department.”
“We also think our fans will like having Filip around. He’s become quite the A-League fan favourite with his quirky on-field actions.”
WUFC will join the Hyundai A-League from the start of the 2019/20 season beginning in October this year.
