Besart Berisha has reflected on his time at Melbourne Victory after it was announced that he will be departing the club.
Berisha, 32, has decided to take on a new challenge overseas after seven years in Australia.
He won two Championships with Brisbane Roar before making the move to Victory in 2014, adding two more Championships and an FFA Cup to his CV.
The Kosovan striker initially came to Melbourne through his desire to win trophies.
“I knew where I was coming, I was so happy to be at the best club, the biggest club in Australia,” Berisha said.
“To achieve such great success at this beautiful club, it was just amazing.”
Berisha’s desire to win made him a fan-favourite almost instantly and over the following four years there’s no doubt he formed a special bond with the supporters.
“I think they are the 12th man on the pitch, I always said that, it helped me a lot.
“They were always behind me not just in the good times but also during the difficult moments, they always supported me.
“I will always be grateful and thankful for that, they will always have a special place in my heart.”
Berisha enjoyed so many special moments while a Victory player, but recalled the 2015 Grand Final at AAMI Park as one of his favourites.
The striker, of course, opened the scoring for Victory in the 3-0 victory over Sydney FC.
“My first year, Victory really needed to win trophies so the Grand Final at AAMI Park was very special.
“I will always have that as one of the best memories of my time at the club.”
Berisha never hid his love for Melbourne so while his short-term plans are to head abroad, he hinted that a return to Australia is on the cards.
“This is a beautiful country and Melbourne is a beautiful place.
“I hope one day I can come back here, maybe not as a player but maybe as a coach – you never know how life is going to work.
“For sure, I will come back and I’m always going to support Victory.”
