Daniel Georgievski (L) joins Melbourne Victory. Source: Getty Images
MELBOURNE Victory has alleviated a potential problem area this season by signing Macedonian international Daniel Georgievski to a one-year deal.
The Australian-born full back can play on both sides of defence, versatility which will help coach Kevin Muscat greatly for a campaign throughout which both Scott Galloway and Jason Geria will miss games because of international duty.
Despite playing 20 matches for Macedonia, including seven in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, the right-footed 26-year-old does not take Victory’s last foreign player slot owing to the fact that he was raised in Blacktown, NSW.
That foreign spot could yet be filled in the coming weeks however, with Victory understood to be exploring the possibility of signing its 22nd player for the upcoming season.
Georgievski comes to the A-League with an impressive pedigree.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MELBOURNE VICTORY
He has spent the past two years at top Romanian club Steaua București where he played 11 UEFA Champions League matches last season, including home and away ties against Chelsea.
He has previously played for Croatian sides HNK Šibenik and NK Međimurje, but before shifting abroad was a product of the Marconi Stallions.
Left back Galloway will likely miss the first three games - Western Sydney, Adelaide (away) and Melbourne City - because of Young Socceroos commitments that could also rule him out of a game or two later in the season.
Geria, who could be joined by Connor Pain, Nick Ansell and Jesse Makarounas in the Olyroos Olympic qualification campaign, is set to miss up to three games in November and potentially another two in March.
Victory takes on Adelaide in a pre-season friendly at Coopers Stadium today.
Daniel brings quality and experience to Victory, having played at the highest levels in both international and European football,” Victory coach Kevin Muscat said.
Daniel Georgievski (L) chases Andre Schurrle (R) of Chelsea. Source: Getty Images
“At 26, Daniel is certainly in the prime of his football career and will be an important asset for our squad this year, a season which will be one of our biggest yet.”
Georgievski said in a statement he had been following the progress of the A-League closely over the past few years.
“And when the opportunity arose to return to Australia and play at the biggest club in the league, I was very interested in heading to Melbourne,” Georgievski said.
“I’ve spoken to Kevin about what he expects and have told him what I believe I can bring to Melbourne Victory and I know it is going to be a very big season for the Club and me as a player.
“Playing in Australia, a country that means so much to me, is certainly an exciting opportunity and I can’t wait to start training, meet the Victory players and get the season underway.”
No comments:
Post a Comment