Newcastle Jets captain Nigel Boogaard has announced his retirement today after six seasons with the club.
The 34-year-old veteran defender was an ever presence in the A-League, having featured in every season since the league’s inception.
Having spent five seasons with the Central Coast Mariners, then a further five seasons with Adelaide United, he will be best remembered for his stint with his boyhood club Newcastle Jets, in which he was the club captain since his arrival.
Boogaard registered over 100 appearances for the Jets in his six-year stint, leading from the back Boogard was key figure for the club.
“This by no means is a sad moment for me, I’ve come to terms with this.
“I just feel it’s the right time for me to step away and enjoy some more family time and life after football, and hopefully enjoy another successful career in a different industry,” Boogaard said.
Boogard’s retirement announcement comes only one day after his side downed Melbourne City 2-1 in an inspiring victory which prevented the Jets from finishing the season bottom of the table.
“I just wanted to make sure we got a result and got off the bottom of the table.
“Not just for personal reasons and wanting to finish off on a high, but the fact the boys and the staff and everything we put in, everything we had this year.
“It’s just something nice for the boys to have something to hold on to knowing the season we went through knowing we gave everything.”
After 16 years in the league, Boogard’s time with the Jets is something he keeps close to his heart.
“I’ve been a fan of this club and always will be. I was lucky enough to play here and hopefully in years to come I’m able to sit upstairs and see this club be successful in the future.
“I’ve enjoyed my time (at other clubs) but nothing beats coming back here.”
With such a close connection to the club he expressed how he wants the club to push on after his departure.
“I hope the club can get back to being a powerhouse, I think it’s a bit of a sleeping giant here.
“There’s a culture embedded in this club to make sure that whoever comes and goes, whether it’s owners, whether it’s backroom staff, coaches or players, that the identity of this club stays true to its town and is there for a long time.
Image Supplied: Newcastle Jets
