On-fire Taggart set for two-year extension at Suwon

Free-scoring Adam Taggart is set to be rewarded for his recent hot goal streak with a two-season contract extension at Suwon Bluewings.

Adam Taggart in action for Suwon Bluewings Source: Supplied

A club source has revealed that the K League 1 outfit have already decided to activate an option in the Socceroos striker’s deal which will keep him in the Korea Republic until the end of 2021.

With 12 goals in 19 league appearances since his February arrival from Brisbane Roar - eight of which have come in the last nine games - Taggart is also heavily tipped to take out the competition’s ‘EA Player of the Month' gong for July.

And all that after he got on the scoresheet for the K League All-Stars in their 3-3 draw with Maurizio Sarri’s Juventus last Friday night.

Having initially signed Taggart on a one-season deal, Suwon officials have seen more than enough from the ex-Newcastle Jets, Fulham and Perth Glory forward to convince them of both his consistency and quality.

Taggart, 26, told The World Game earlier this month of his desire for an extended League stay.

“I hope I can stay here for a long time,” Taggart said.

“Some people are better when they’re under pressure to play for their contract, some are better when they’re settled.

“I don’t know what I am to be honest. I just think it’s important to adapt to the situation.”

Taggart is also looming as coach Graham Arnold’s go-to-man for goals en route to the 2022 FIFA World Cup - starting on September 11 in Kuwait when Australia open their qualification campaign for Qatar.

He made his return to the national team off the bench after a five-year absence in last month’s 1-0 friendly loss to Korea Republic in Busan, and Arnold has already signalled his intention to give him the opportunity to lead the line.

Taggart - now joined at the mid-table club by fringe Socceroos midfielder Terry Antonis - is three goals clear atop the K League 1 scoring charts, three ahead of Ulsan’s Brazilian striker Junior Negao.

He has the chance to add to his tally in Tuesday night’s visit to fifth-placed Daegu.