PETALING JAYA: Penang are sticking with trusted Argentinian centreback Stefano Brundo, who will continue leading the side next season after signing a one-year contract extension.
The 33-year-old, who can also operate as a defensive midfielder, will captain the Panthers again in the upcoming Super League campaign.
Last season, the northern outfit, coached by Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail, finished eighth in the Super League and were runners-up in the Challenge Cup.
Brundo made 34 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing one assist.
He usually partners Nigerian defender Faith Obilor at the back, who has also extended his stay with the club.
"I decided to stay in order to achieve a better position in the Super League than last year and fight for a top-five finish,” said Brundo.
"I believe we can beat some of the biggest teams in the country, as we showed last season when we upset Kuala Lumpur, Kuching City and Terengganu.
"As captain, I believe my role will be even more important, and I will try to make sure the new players understand our objectives for this season.''
Brundo brought leadership to the team especially in defence and showed he was a potent attacking threat during set-pieces.
The former Pahang player will hope to build on his performances last season and help the club meet their objectives for the coming season.
Filipino winger OJ Porteria is the other foreign player who will be staying with Penang.
Among the local players retained are goalkeepers Khairul Azhan Khalid and Ramadhan Abd Hamid; midfielders Mohd Izzat Zikri, Firdaus Saiyadi and Chia Ruo Han; defenders Khairul Akmal Rokisham and Ashriq Izzat, and striker Akid Zamri.
The new local signings announced so far are defender M. Rakesh and Addha Nazman.
