Former Italian international Fabrizio Miccoli has decided to stay in Italy rather than join Melbourne Victory. Source: ALESSANDRO FUCARINI / AP
MELBOURNE Victory's search for a new marquee player continues after news that former Italian international Fabrizio Miccoli has signed with US Lecce.
The 34-year-old was understood to be on the verge of agreeing to a one-year deal with Victory and plans were even being made to play him in next week's marquee friendly with Liverpool at the MCG.
But the striker has had a sudden backflip and Italian third division club Lecce - the club Miccoli supported as a youngster - heralded his signing overnight.
"(He) has chosen, among several options, to wear the yellow jersey, for whom he had always shown great affection and love,'' a statement on the club's website said.
"The contract will be formalised on Wednesday.''
Miccoli has represented his country 10 times and has scored nearly 200 goals in a professional career that has also taken in stints with Juventus, Fiorentina and Portuguese side Benfica.
His six-year association with Palermo, a club he captained, came to an end after the club was relegated from the Serie A at the end of last season.
Victory parted ways with last year's marquee player, Marcos Flores, almost two weeks ago.
The club has also failed in its attempts to lure Greek captain Giorgos Karagounis to Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Victory coach Ange Postecoglou wants an improved performance from his side in its final hit out before next Wednesday's Liverpool clash with Liverpool.
Postecoglou admits there is room for improvement after outings against Richmond (2-1 win) and Bentleigh Greens (1-1 draw) in recent weeks.
Victory takes on another Victorian Premier League side, Port Melbourne, tonight.
Apart from A-League All Stars representative Billy Celeski, it will field much the same side that will take to the MCG next Wednesday night - unless any of Archie Thompson, Mark Milligan, Mitch Nichols or Nathan Coe are omitted from the Socceroos East Asian Cup squad.
"We've been OK, but I would have liked us to have been a little better in the way we've played and our structure,'' Postecoglou said of Victory's first two pre-season games.
"We've still got plenty of room for improvement, but we have been using a lot of young guys as well.
"With the young boys you've got to be patient, but they're improving all of the time so hopefully tomorrow night is another step forward.''
Postecoglou said the Port Melbourne clash was the most important of his side's pre-season so far.
"It's our last dress rehearsal,'' he said.
"But we've still got a week and there'll still be a couple missing tomorrow night that will play against Liverpool.
"It's important for the guys who have been training to get 90 minutes under their belt and make sure they're in good condition.''
Postecoglou will also coach the A-League All Stars side against Manchester United on Saturday night, but will return for tonight's game before flying back to Sydney.
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