Newcastle Jets plan Ledley, Ibini double swoop

Newly-minted Newcastle coach Carl Robinson is reportedly bidding to beef up the Jets with the capture of former Premier League midfielder Joe Ledley and fringe Socceroo Bernie Ibini.

Ledley, Ibini

Source: Getty Images

The pair are free agents after recent career upheavals, and could theoretically join the languishing A-League club at any time between now and the end of the season, according to a report by the Newcastle Herald.

The quest to land the duo is a statement of intent from the Welshman, as he seeks to turn the 2018 grand finalists into a credible force once again.

Yet both also represent a calculated risk, with 77-cap Welsh international Ledley - a star of EURO 2016 - released by Championship outfit Charlton last month, after just a single appearance on the short-term contract he signed in December.

Prior to that the former Cardiff City, Celtic, Crystal Palace and Derby mainstay had been out of the game for 10 months, having fallen out of favour under Frank Lampard at the Rams, for whom he made 30 appearances.

He ripped up his Derby contract a year ago and there was even talk of retirement but Ledley, who turned 33 last month, remains determined to resurrect his career, and may well be tempted by compatriot Robinson to try his luck in the A-League.

He famously played on a broken leg for Crystal Palace just five weeks out from the Euros, yet miraculously recovered to help Wales reach the last four in France.

Twice-capped Australia international Ibini, 27, has faced his own tribulations during an an injury-hit career, with a move to Iran’s Esteghlal scuppered last month when he failed a medical.

The former Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC flier was primed to join the Persian Gulf Pro League side after departing Korean giants Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors after a season in the K1 League, but the one-year deal was called off because of an achilles issue.

Robinson, though, remains an advocate, having previously signed Ibini back in 2017 during his tenure in charge of Vancouver Whitecaps.

It’s understood the Jets are looking to offload Nick Fitzgerald - who came off the bench in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers - to make way for Ibini.

The club are confident the issues with his achilles can be negated and are unlikely to prevent him inking a deal on the Hunter.

Ibini made 25 appearances in a 15-month spell under Robinson at the Whitecaps, before moving to UAE Pro League outfit Emirates Club in 2018.

Newcastle were approached for comment.


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3 min read
Published 20 February 2020 6:15pm
By SBS The World Game
Source: SBS

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