The Newcastle Jets continue to build an impressive team for the next Hyundai A-League season by re-signing dynamic midfielder Ali Abbas on a one-year contract.
The Iraqi international was initially brought to the Jets as an injury replacement for Shaun Ontong and earned an extension on his stay at the Newcastle club with a number of eye-catching performances in the second half of the season.
Abbas joins Michael Bridges, Tarek Elrich, Adam D'Apuzzo, Labinot Haliti, Ben Kennedy, Marko Jesic and Neil Young, who have recently inked contracts keeping them at the Jets for 2010/11.
"I feel great," Abbas said at the announcement of his deal on Wednesday. "I'm happy because I can stay here for one more year, after that if I have another opportunity I would like to stay for a long time."
"First time, when I came here, I didn't know anyone here but then I spent time here with the people. I like the supporters, the management, everyone at the Newcastle Jets, I like being close to them because it's like I have another family here."
Club chief executive John Tsatsimas said Abbas's signing was another positive step for the Jets after a better-than-expected season saw them make it to the semi-finals.
"It brings me great delight to announce that Ali has agreed to extend his stay with the Newcastle Jets for another year," said Tsatsimas.
"We are ecstatic and very thankful that he has decided to stay and he has proven to be a valuable asset to the team, and he has been a starting player at the back end of the season."
"So another piece of the jigsaw puzzle has fallen into place and we certainly look forward to what next season holds. We're very excited about the potential that we have in the forthcoming season."
Meanwhile, Newcastle defensive midfielder Ben Kantarovski will find out on Friday whether he will need to undergo an operation on his ankle in the off-season.
The talented 18-year-old missed two games with an ankle injury in February before playing through the pain in the team's last three games of the season.
Kantarovski underwent scans and examinations this week to determine the best course of action for recovery.