Western Sydney local Kearyn Baccus has joined the Western Sydney Wanderers as an injury replacement player for striker Brendon Santalab.
Santalab injured his right shoulder in the first leg of the Wanderers historic AFC Champions League triumph and will be ruled out for an indefinite period.
Santalab was scheduled to undergo surgery today (Friday).
As a result, former Socceroo squad member Kearyn Baccus has joined the Red & Black on an injury-replacement contract.
Baccus has experience in Europe with spells at Le Mans in France as well as Real Mallorca and Real Sociedad in Spain.
It was while with La Mans that Baccus was called into the Socceroos camp in 2011.
Signed from Blacktown City where he won the recently-completed National Premier League alongside fellow Wanderer Shayne D’Cunha, the Wanderers will be Baccus’ first Hyundai A-League contract.
The midfielder says he feels proud to have signed for his hometown club.
“As a Western Sydney boy it’s absolutely massive to sign for the Wanderers,” Baccus said.
“I’m very grateful to Tony Popovic who has given me another opportunity. Now I have to grasp it with two hands and do the best I can for him and the club.
“It’s going to be quality to play in front of the Red & Black fans; they’re intense and the best in the A-League.”
Baccus may have to wait in line, with two other new players slated to make their debut for the Wanderers in about an hour’s time against the Phoenix in Wellington, as the Wanderers turn their attention to the domestic league.
Nikita Rukavytsya and Seyi Adeleke travelled with the team to New Zealand, but time will tell if they get on the pitch in a game the Wanderers will be keen to win to start building some premierhip points after their focus had been on the Asian Champions League.
