Soccer: Sydney FC defender Bosschaart extends contract

Pascal Bosschaart. Photo / Getty Images

Sydney FC's experienced defender Pascal Bosschaart has signed a two-year extension to his deal, tying him to the A-League club until April 2014.

The Dutchman is in his first season with the Sky Blues and quickly become a key component of coach Vitezslav Lavicka's team.

"I am very pleased to be staying at Sydney FC for another two years," Bosschaart said.

"Since I have arrived in Sydney everyone at the club has been tremendous for me and my family. We have been made to feel welcome, I love playing for the club, I love living in Sydney and I am very happy to stay at Sydney FC."

Sydney chief executive Dirk Melton says Bosschaart has quickly integrated himself into the club's culture and it made sense to secure a new deal with the defender.

"Pascal has been great for us on the pitch, there is no debating that fact, but it is his character and dedication off the pitch that was a huge part of our desire to keep him at the club for another two years," Melton said.

"We are trying to build something at Sydney FC and the way Pascal has embraced the club's values and taken to the community work has been a credit to him as a person."

Bosschaart and his Sydney FC team-mates will be in action against the Melbourne Heart at the SFS on Thursday with second place up for grabs to the victor.

Both teams are unbeaten in the past four matches with the Heart currently in second position, two points ahead of Sydney FC.

- AAP