As the final whistle sounded at Seymour Shaw during the Round 15 clash between the Sutherland Sharks and Sydney United 58, the competition felt a boom albeit with the announcement of the departure of one of the best players ever to grace PlayStation 4 NPL NSW.
Sydney United 58’s number 23, Panny Nikas said his final goodbyes to his teammates, ironically against a club he truly made his name at after bursting into the scene and announced his presence with the Shire boys in 2009 after initially getting his debut via the now defunct Penrith Nepean United.
The final game didn’t go to script for Nikas and the United 58 boys as Grant Lee’s men spoiled the party running home 3-2 victors in a huge upset but the news filtered around the ground that the former PS4 NPL NSW Men’s Player of the Year had signed with Thai League 1 side Police Tero Football Club coached by former Brisbane Roar manager Mike Mulvey.
The move was effective immediately as Nikas had a flight booked for Bangkok at 4pm on Sunday.
“It all happened so quick.
“I know I still have that burning desire to continually evolve as a player and test myself at the highest levels possible and this opportunity came about and was something I just could not pass up.”
The constant chatter over social media year upon year was why hadn’t a Hyundai A-League club snapped up the 28-year old’s services after consistently performing in Australia’s strongest state league.
Nikas did get a sniff at the Central Coast Mariners when he played with the NYL side in 2009-2010, a season that saw him win the Player of the Year tag however the club released him surprisingly after that. North Queensland Fury were the next time club that gave the Kingsgrove North High School teacher a chance in 2010 but luck deserted the star attacking midfielder as a year, later the club folded resulting in Nikas returning to the state league with the Sharks.
After three seasons with Sutherland, former NSL giants Sydney United 58 came knocking on the door and they further unleashed the player’s potential.
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