Pantelis delighted with new Adelaide United deal

Adelaide United vice-captain Lucas Pantelis was delighted he and the club agreed to a new deal yesterday.

The 28-year old winger signed a two-year deal after being linked with a move away from the club but he is glad he was able to remain a Reds player, which he has been since the inception of the A-League in 2005.

“I’ve been here for five years and I’ve been very happy during that time, so I’m looking forward to the next couple of seasons and am glad it (the speculation) is all done and dusted,” Pantelis said.

“At the age of 28 you would think you’ve got the next two or three best years in front of you, and I’ve started well in the ACL and want to continue that form into the next four games of the Group Stage, and then on into the Hyundai A-League.”

Reds coach Aurelio Vidmar was happy that Pantelis would remain at the club and hope his re-signing paves the way for similar deals for other Adelaide players down the track.

“We’re really pleased that we were able to secure Lucas’ signature. He’s in some really good touch at the moment, and that’s the Lucas Pantelis we all know, and he’ll be a valuable asset for the next two years,” Vidmar said.

“It’s starting to come together and at this time of year players want to know who’s staying and who’s going, and Lucas is another piece of that puzzle.”