Regular football is the aim of Melbourne Victory’s newest recruit Theo Markelis.
Regular football is the aim of Melbourne Victory’s newest recruit Theo Markelis.
The 20-year-old was officially unveiled alongside the club’s two other recruits, Brazilian Guilherme Finkler and Mauritian Jonathan Bru, by new Football Operations Manager Paul Trimboli on Tuesday.
Markelis grew up playing for one of Victoria’s most successful State League teams, Green Gully, before signing for Spanish giants Valencia at the age of 15.
He spent three years in Valencia’s youth team and last season plied his trade with Italian Serie B strugglers Vicenza, who were relegated to Lego Pro Prima Divisione (Third division), but opted for a return home to Melbourne at the end of his contract.
Markelis signed a two-year contract with the two-time A-League champions in the hope of securing a consistent run of football.
“It’s hard to be a first-team player overseas but I want to play regularly,” he said at AAMI Park on Tuesday.
“I know it won’t be easy but I’ll give it everything I have.”
Along with the Australian youth international, Finkler also said his ambition was to win the league in his first season at the club.
“I think when you come here, I know it’s a big club in Australia, the goal for me is to be champions, to do my best and my job,” the Brazilian midfielder said.
Victory’s latest defensive midfield recruit, Mauritius international, Bru, said playing for Ange Postecoglou’s side posed a ‘big challenge’.
And the former Moreirense player labelled his new employers as the ‘biggest’ club in Australian football.
“It’s the best club in Australia,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of people and people have told me it’s the biggest club in Australia and my impression is it’s the biggest club.”
Meanwhile, Trimboli revealed the club were in talks with a number of transfer targets in a bid to finalise their roster for the 2012/13 A-League season.
“We’ve got a couple of spots left,” he said.
“We’re currently talking to a few people, so hopefully we’re not too far away from another couple of signings.”
In other news, Victorian Premier League outfit Moreland Zebras announced the signing of former Melbourne Victory midfielder Grant Brebner on Wednesday.
