VALENTINO Yuel signed a two year deal with the Newcastle Jets after impressing in pre-season.

The former Western United attacker fell out of favour with coach Marc Rudan, but looks reinvigorated at the Jets with impressive pre-season performances against A-League opposition.

Making his mark after just 15 minutes in the trial match against Macarthur FC, Yuel breezed past former Socceroo captain Mark Milligan to open the scoring.

Yuel then backed up with an impressive display against the Brisbane Roar at C.ex Stadium in Coffs Harbour where he played in a wider role, tormenting the Roar backline with his electric pace and football wizardry.

He is sure to become a fan favourite, attacking defenders with an array of step overs and feints, which inspire comparisons to the Ivory Coast’s livewire forward Wilfried Zaha.

And the similarities don’t end there.

It was a change of club to wear the blue and red of Crystal Palace that turned around Zaha’s career, turning him into one of the most prominent attackers in the English Premier League.

After his performance in Coffs Harbour, Interim Manager Craig Deans and CEO Lawrie McKinna had obviously seen enough and made his trial a permanent fixture with a two year contract.

And based on these performances, the free transfer could be the shrewdest signing of the season.

The Jets will be hoping to bring in the new year with a bang as they play the Central Coast Mariners on New Year’s Eve in their opening fixture of the season.

 

By David WIGLEY