La Rocca re-signs with Wanderers

Italian defender Iacopo La Rocca has signed a new two-year deal at the Western Sydney Wanderers.

The 28-year-old – who played in Lazio’s youth team and signed for the Wanderers from Swiss giants Grasshopper – has impressed in defence this campaign, making 13 appearances and scoring one goal.

And Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic was delighted at La Rocca signing a fresh contract, which will keep him at the A-League club until the end of the 2014/15 season.

“Iacopo is very good on the ball and his distribution is a real asset of his and we feel that he can help us move forward in the near term and the long term,” Popovic said.

“He is a quality player and a quality person and we feel that he will only get better and better.”

La Rocca becomes the eighth Western Sydney player to re-sign, joining Ante Covic, Michael Beauchamp, Youssouf Hersi, Jerome Polenz, Mateo Poljak, Shannon Cole and Adam D’Apuzzo to re-commit to the A-League high-flyers.

And the Italian said he was enjoying his time with the club and that it was an easy decision to stay.

“I re-signed because everything here in Australia and with the Wanderers is great,” La Rocca said.

“The team is one of the best in the league and the club is very professional and I really feel like I am fitting in well.”

Western Sydney are flying high in the A-League, sitting in third position with 11 wins from 19 matches.