Gold Coast SUNS midfielder Michael Rischitelli is set to re-sign with the GC SUNS, with the veteran close to inking a new one-year deal for 2014.

goldcoastfc.com.au can confirm talks between Rischitelli’s management and the GC SUNS have taken place, but a deal has yet been finalised.

It is likely Rischitelli will become the fifteenth Gold Coaster to re-commit to the Club in 2013.

Rischitelli, who joined the GC SUNS in 2011 after winning the Brisbane Lions Best & Fairest Award, has provided valuable leadership to the team alongside skipper Gary Ablett.

The 27-year-old utility was ultra-consistent in his first season in the red and gold Guernsey – amassing 497 disposals, 114 tackles and 95 clearances to finish second runner-up in the Gold Coast SUNS inaugural Club Championship.

However, injuries restricted the key midfielder to just 11 games this season, with his campaign largely disrupted by a dislocated elbow sustained against Essendon in the side’s Round 12 fixture at Etihad Stadium.

Fortunately, Rischitelli was able to force his way back into the side for the final two matches of 2013 and in the team’s final match against Greater Western Sydney he finished among the GC SUNS best, keeping Tom Scully to just 13 disposals, Rischitelli notched 25 touches and two crucial goals, playing a pivotal role in their 83-point win over the expansion rival.