Words: Garry McKenzie
Image: Getty Images

Gold Coast City coach Grae Piddick says his latest squad additions prove the region’s best players can challenge for another PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland title.

The club today confirmed the re-signings of goalkeeper Shane Viitakangas, midfielder Ben Litfin and striker Jarrod Kyle from last year's squad.

Also confirmed is the return of midfielder Troy Ruthven (pictured) following a season with PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria 2015 Champions Bentleigh Greens.

Piddick said the return of the locally-based Ruthven and the trio of Gold Coast juniors showed the club is attractive proposition to the region’s best players.

“It's about having the best Gold Coast players playing for Gold Coast City,” Piddick said.

“They don't need to go elsewhere to play in a good team which has already experienced success and is looking to achieve more.”

Ruthven, 25, was a key member of the Palm Beach SC side that claimed the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2014 Premiership-Championship double - making 24 league appearances and scoring on five occasions that season.

He carried his form to the Victoria capital with 23 appearances for Bentleigh this year - including scoring the opening goal in the club's PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria 2015 Grand Final win over South Melbourne FC.

Piddick said Ruthven’s winning mentality was a huge boost for the team’s culture.

“It's about doing whatever it takes on and off the field to continue to improve and be successful and Troy definitely brings that,” Piddick said.

Viitikangas, 21, also saw success against South Melbourne last season after his match-defining penalty save took Palm Beach past the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32.

Piddick said Viitakangas - who also earned selection to the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars in 2015 - brings continuity to a defence that will miss the experience of the retired Kristian Rees, but stressed a talented goalkeeper is only part of the solution.

“Shane will be important as always but it will also require the rest of the team to do their jobs defensively and I think they will be capable of doing that,” Piddick said.

Piddick is also delighted by the return of Liftin, 20, and Kyle, 22, who both played in City's pre-season friendly win over Logan Lightning, after the pair suffered season-ending injuries last season.

Former Brisbane Roar Youth captain Liftin picked up a serious ankle injury in only his third game with his home-town club last season.

Piddick said Litfin will be key to his side's midfield combinations next season alongside Ruthven, McKay and dynamic winger Daniel Dragicevic.

“Ben brings great technical quality and sharpness to the midfield while his ability to combine with other players is a real important part of his game,” Piddick said.

Kyle twice dislocated his shoulder last season which saw his contributions limited to a single league goal in just a handful of appearances.

However, the former Sydney FC player was on the scoresheet against Lightning, boosting hopes he can add to his 14 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland goals for the club.

Piddick said a fully fit Kyle adds firepower to his squad and his partnership with new attacking recruit Lyndon Dykes offers plenty of potential. 

“He is already looking good and hungry for next year so I am expecting him to have a great year and score plenty of goals,” Piddick concluded.