Adriano signs for 1 more year

Adriano Pellegrino with Crown VP Tommy Lim

NEWSFLASH - Adriano Pellegrino, who made such a dramatic impact on the 2nd half of their Championship-winning season, has signed a contract extension to keep him with Phnom Penh Crown for another year. His 3 goals and 12 assists were a major factor in supporting the team to their 5th Cambodian League title success. Head coach Sam Schweingruber had this to say from China, where he's on FIFA assignment. "We are very happy Adriano has accepted the contract extension for the next year and will be with us to help defend our title. Everybody has seen the impact he had during his 3 month spell with us and we are happy that he is going to be on our side for the next campaign, supporting our team with his qualities, experience and leadership." Adriano is pictured with club vice president Tommy Lim and his new contract. The Australian playmaker, aged 30, played A-League football in his home country with Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariner's, as well as spells in Greece and Malaysia and gained 4 caps for Australia's U-20 national team. Here's what the midfielder had to say on his decision to stay:
"I'm very happy and honoured to have signed a new contract with Crown. It's been an amazing past 3 months having joined the club and being crowned champions, now to have signed a new contract, and be a part of the club long-term, I am very much looking forward to it. The club is going in a great direction with Crown competing next season in Asian competitions, new stadium being built, new signings at the club and a great youth program, and I want to be a part of all that in the future to come. I have to make a special mention to head coach Sam who has been sensational since I arrived at Crown. He is a great coach and look forward to working with him in the future to come, in competing and doing well in Asian competitions and also defending our CPL title next season." Adriano is celebrating his 1-year extension with a visit to Siem Reap and the Angkor Temples, one of the places he was looking forward to visiting when he knew he was coming to Cambodia. He also added that he hoped by his remaining in Cambodia, that it might open the door for other Australian players to play in the C-League. "It's an up and coming league and a great stage for more Australian players to play," commented the former A-League star.