There will be nine new faces in Melbourne Victory’s 2017/2018 A-League squad.
Some are returning for a second stint, and some coming back from a loan, but they are all set to play a crucial role across the 27 rounds.
Kosta Barbarouses
Barbarouses re-joined Victory on a two-season deal for his second stint.
Already with 96 appearances for Victory across all competitions, Barbarouses will be a vital part of Victory’s attacking setup.
Thomas Deng
Deng returns from a season-long loan with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.
The promising defender is still only 20 years of age and has been played across the back four in pre-season.
Leroy George
Born in the South American country of Suriname, George spent the majority of his childhood in the Dutch city of Amsterdam before joining nearby Eredivisie club, FC Utrecht, in 2006.
Following 73 first team appearances and eight goals, George moved to Eredivisie rival N.E.C. where he racked up 81 games and another 11 goals throughout three seasons at the club. Most recently George had been playing in Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Joshua Hope
Hope came to Melbourne Victory via the AIS in 2016 and was an impressive member of the club’s NYL and NPL squads last season.
The 19-year-old forward made two senior Melbourne Victory appearances, both as a substitute, in this year’s FFA Cup and displayed enough promise to be rewarded with a senior contract.
Cameron McGilp
Victory’s new number 15 is another product of the club’s youth system. Before graduating to the senior setup, McGilp had worked through the junior levels.
McGilp made his A-League debut in March 2017 against Brisbane, making a cameo appearance off the bench at Suncorp Stadium. The 19-year-old has been training with the senior team almost ever since.
Mark Milligan
Milligan returns for his second stint at Victory with marquee status.
His first stint at Victory was wildly successful, as he captained the side to the premiership and championship double.
Matias Sanchez
Sanchez joins Victory having spent the best part of a decade playing in Argentina’s top flight, on a one-year deal.
A World Cup winner with Argentina’s Under-20’s, Sanchez was also part of the Estudiantes de La Plata side that won South America’s prestigious Copa Libertadores in 2009, before being crowned Champions of Argentina the following season.
Immediately prior to his move to Melbourne, Sanchez played 33 times for Club Atletico Temperley, also in the Argentine Primera Division.
Pierce Waring
Waring, a striker, has been in the Melbourne Victory set-up since 2015 when he first stepped out in the NYL, and most recently scored 10 goals for the club in Victoria’s NPL2 competition.
Waring was also a member of Australia’s squad at the Under 17’s World Cup in 2015 and will provide another attacking option during the upcoming 2017/18 campaign.
Rhys Williams
Williams signed with Victory in May, arriving in Melbourne after a season spent at Perth Glory.
Prior to his Australian return, Williams had spent more than a decade in England, including being captain of Middlesbrough.
