Aretzis signs his first professional contract

Jan 26, 2022 | Archive

We are delighted to announce Nick Aretzis has become the latest Academy player to sign a professional contract with the club.

The 18-year-old Australian central defender made his first competitive start of the season in the 3-1 derby win away to Carrick Rangers last month.

He has also been involved in a matchday squad on four other occasions this term as he continues to impress.

The second year scholar is the third player this season to put pen to paper on a pro deal, after Dylan Sloan and Max Greer did likewise. Northern Ireland under-19 international Matty Lusty also turned professional with the club last term.

Larne boss Tiernan Lynch said: “Nick is another player who has worked hard, showed a willingness to learn and a dedication to get better.

“His development is coming on very well and fans will have seen that first hand in the Carrick game. He’s involved training with us behind the scenes as he becomes more accustomed to the senior environment.

“We will look at the best options for Nick for the remainder of the season, which may involve a loan move, but we will assess everything before the window closes next week.”

Scholarship Head Coach Keith O’Hara has overseen Nick’s progress over the last 18 months and spoke of the defender’s dedication both on and off the pitch.

Keith added: “Nick has been incredibly brave and devoted in his ambition to make a career in the game.

“He left home as a teenager in Australia, travelled literally halfway around the world and hadn’t seen his family in 18 months until Christmas.

“That type of hunger to learn has been apparent in his time here as well. Numerous times he has asked to come in on his day off so that he can work on something and keep improving.”

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