Austrian giant Janko links with Sydney FC

Austrian captain Marc Janko will join Sydney FC for the coming A-League season on a one-year deal as the club’s international marquee player replacing Italian great Alessandro Del Piero.

The 1.96 metre striker has been a regular goal-scorer during his career and the former Porto, FC Twente and Trabzonspor forward has also played 40 times for his country, scoring 17 times in a career that incorporates two FIFA World Cup™ campaigns.

The 31 year old striker is one of Austria’s most recognisable players having scored 75 goals in 108 appearances during a five-year career at Red Bull Salzburg. During that time he helped them lift three Bundesliga titles.

Janko joined FC Twente in 2010 scoring 24 times, including the winner in the Dutch Cup against Ajax. He moved to FC Porto in January 2012 and then Trabzonspor in August 2012.

“I am thrilled to be joining Sydney FC and can’t wait to get started,” said Janko. “I have come here to win trophies and play in the Asian Champions League and I am confident that I will achieve this with Sydney FC.

“I believe I can contribute a big part to this success. I have also heard a lot about the passion of the members and supporters for the club and I look forward to playing in front of them.”

The two-time A-League champions have underperformed in recent seasons, but new coach Graham Arnold believes Janko’s addition is a perfect complement to his forward line, which also includes Shane Smeltz and Alex Brosque.

“Marc has an exceptional goal-scoring record and is a fantastic addition to our attacking options, and he will complement our current strikers well,” Arnold said.

“We have put in a lot of time and effort to ensure he has the right qualities and right character to fit into our squad, and I’m very happy we have been able to sign him.”