Example ... Zadkovich has signed a new deal. Photo: Getty Images
THE lure of leading the Newcastle Jets into the future helped convince sought-after midfielder Ruben Zadkovich to remain with the club for another two seasons.
Zadkovich signed a new deal with the Jets on Monday after knocking back other contract offers from Europe, Asia and Australia.
The 26-year-old took over the captaincy in December, and said the opportunity to keep the role full-time following the shock departure of former skipper Jobe Wheelhouse was a major incentive.
''I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as captain this year, replacing Jobe, and the attitude of the young players we have here is first class so it makes my job pretty easy,'' Zadkovich said on Monday.
''It's [the captaincy] something we'll talk about with the coach and the backroom staff but it's something I'll be looking to hold on to, that armband.
''I'd like to think while I've had it I've done a decent job so if I can keep setting the example at training and on game day, the team will follow and the armband will stay mine.''
Wheelhouse stunned teammates last week by quitting after being told it was unlikely he would be offered a new contract by the Jets at the end of the season.
Despite suggestions he and Wheelhouse had been vying for the same contract, Zadkovich said he never felt in competition with his predecessor.
''I never felt that because he's a great player and a really close friend,'' Zadkovich. ''He knows above all else his friendship is what's most important to me, and football comes second to that.''
Zadkovich spent two seasons with Sydney FC and had a brief spell with Derby County in England before joining the Jets. He was reportedly a target of A-League rookies Western Sydney for next season, and said he also had offers from abroad.
''It was something that we looked at but the combination of the place, the people, this new leadership role, that outweighed the pros for the other contracts overseas,'' Zadkovich said.
''It's not something I would shut the door completely on. Every player's ambition is to play overseas at big clubs but for now, at this stage of my career, I really think it's important I just keep working hard, and if it's not broken, don't fix it.''
Zadkovich's promotion to the captaincy has coincided with a career-best run of form and Jets coach Gary van Egmond described him as a cornerstone of the playing group.
''Ruben has not only matured into a leader on and off the field but his form this season has been outstanding,'' van Egmond said.
''He has stepped up this season as a player, and is a great mentor to the young players.''
■ Australia's first private school for footballers hopes to unearth the next Harry Kewell after kicking off its inaugural year on Monday.
The International Football School opened its doors to 75 of the country's aspiring Socceroos and Matildas on the NSW Central Coast last week.
Unlike other sports schools such as well-known Sydney institution Westfield Sports School, which the likes of Socceroos Kewell and Jason Culina attended, IFS is the first school in the country to focus solely on football.
The Mount Penang campus will cater for up to 350 students from Year 5 to Year 10, each paying $4800 a year. Two hours every morning is dedicated to training as part of the intensive football program which is integrated into the curriculum.
AAP
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