The mid-season transfer window for the Isuzu UTE A-League has officially come to a close, with numerous clubs making significant enhancements to their rosters on Deadline Day.
Continue reading as aleagues.com.au highlights some notable transfers, including those that went under the radar, with 33 players switching clubs within the A-Leagues and another 34 departing their previous teams.
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WEEKEND PREVIEW: What to catch for Round 19 of the Isuzu UTE A-League
Macarthur’s Pursuit of More Creativity in Attack
Following the departures of forwards Ariath Piol and Jed Drew to Real Salt Lake and TSV Hartberg respectively, Macarthur’s head coach Mile Sterjovski urgently sought attacking reinforcements during the January window.
Introducing Tunisian international and former Olympique Marseille playmaker Saîf-Eddine Khaoui.
At 29, Khaoui arrives in Campbelltown after his stint in the UAE Pro League, ready to inject additional creativity and flair into the Bulls’ final third.
Having previously played alongside Bulls captain Valere Germain at Marseille, Khaoui has been signed on a contract until the season’s conclusion, addressing the gaps in an attack now devoid of scoring and assist contributions following Drew’s exit.
“Saîf is a player who will undoubtedly enhance the quality of our squad,” Sterjovski stated upon Khaoui’s signing.
“I’m confident he’ll be a thrilling addition for our fans and throughout the league with his exquisite dribbling and passing ability.”
Analytics from Opta indicate that Macarthur tops the league in Expected Goals (xG), has produced the second-most ‘Big Chances’ (55), and ranks third for Shots on Target per match—Khaoui’s arrival is expected to bolster these statistics.
A product of France’s renowned Clairefontaine academy, Khaoui has amassed over 200 competitive appearances in France, contributing 26 goals and 16 assists to his name.
In addition to the creative signing, Macarthur has also welcomed experienced centre-back Kevin Boli.
With young defender Ollie Jones sold to Randers from Denmark and off-season addition Dino Arslanagic exiting through mutual consent, the Bulls found themselves short in defence.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: What to catch for Round 19 of the Isuzu UTE A-League
Boli, aged 33, is a former Ivory Coast youth international and has joined the Bulls until the closure of the current season, having played globally in leagues across China, Romania, Belgium, Turkey, and most recently in Iran. His presence is vital for a defence that has conceded 24 goals this season.
Glory Secure Transformative Free Agent and Defensive Reinforcement
Upon David Zdrilic’s arrival at Perth Glory in the off-season, substantial changes were quickly made to revamp the squad.
A multitude of new faces joined, including South American talents Luis Canga and Cristian Caiceido, but a disappointing start to the season led to decisions to move on several of those players, along with a few existing squad members.
Soon after Canga and Caiceido’s exits, Mustafa Amini, Luke Bodnar, Jacob Muir, Jarrod Carluccio, and Abdul Faisal also departed, prompting the Glory’s football department to seek a new wave of talent to fill the vacant spots.
In total, Perth Glory secured SEVEN fresh players during the mid-season transfer period, with several making an immediate impact in Western Australia.
Zdrilic has constructed a new centre-back partnership after acquiring ex-Glory defender Tomislav Mrcela, who most recently played in Croatia, alongside former Wanderers defender Tass Mourdoukoutas, who joined after leaving a Canadian side.
Furthermore, Glory reinforced their squad and added experience by signing Japanese players Yuto Misao and Takuya Okamoto. Both defenders, contributing a wealth of knowledge with 600 cumulative matches in Japanese football, have joined on contracts until season’s end.
However, Zdrilic’s shrewdest business may well have been securing Sydney FC forward Patrick Wood on loan, aiming to support star striker Adam Taggart.
While not known primarily for his goal-scoring, Wood’s relentless work rate will complement Taggart’s talents, a trait Zdrilic recognised firsthand during his tenure as assistant coach at Sydney FC.
The club’s final signing was Isuzu UTE A-League Champion Lachie Wales, joining after his stint with Gyeongnam FC in South Korea. Wales has made an impressive start with his new side, already tallying a goal and an assist within his first three matches.
Glory bolstered their midfield with the addition of 27-year-old Luke Amos, a product of Tottenham Hotspur, joining after a challenging injury-plagued career, but boasts experience from a decade at Spurs alongside 80 appearances in the English Championship with Queens Park Rangers. His versatility could prove pivotal for the team moving forward.
READ MORE: Glory performs strong transfer moves with support from four Aussies and A-League icons
Sky Blues Turn to Experienced A-League Defender for Stability
Sydney FC faced mixed emotions after losing Socceroo Hayden Matthews to English Championship team Portsmouth.
While the club celebrated securing a record transfer fee for a burgeoning talent nurtured through their academy, they simultaneously felt the sting of losing a key defender from a backline plagued by conceding the most goals among the top six.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: What to catch for Round 19 of the Isuzu UTE A-League
Filling Matthews’ role will be former Perth Glory centre-back Alex Grant, who has signed a contract until the end of the current Isuzu UTE A-League season. Grant, who was last with Chinese Super League side Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, brings both defensive solidity and height to a backline struggling recently.
DEFENSIVE ACQUISITION: Sydney FC signs Champions League runner-up as Matthews’ replacement
Additionally, Alexandar Popovic was signed on a permanent basis; however, he remains sidelined due to ongoing groin troubles. The uncertainty surrounding their defence hasn’t abated, leaving head coach Ufuk Talay scrambling to find solutions.
While Grant awaits his competitive debut, captain Rhyan Grant has migrated to the heart of defence alongside former youth product Kyle Shaw, both hoping to stabilise following the departures and injuries hampering the squad.
During the transfer window, the Sky Blues also secured 24-year-old winger Jaushua Sotirio, who returns from a tenure in India after previous spells with Western Sydney, Newcastle Jets, and Wellington Phoenix.
Phoenix Finally Lands Creative Playmaker
After a patient wait, Wellington Phoenix has finally acquired the player they hope will spark their attack in the final third.
Signed from Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim, Portuguese midfielder Francisco ‘Chico’ Geraldes has joined on loan until the end of the season after a recent loan stint with Spanish club CD Eldense, where he made three appearances.
TOP SIGNING: ‘Nix secure graduate of Portuguese giants who has shared the pitch with Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Jota
“In terms of quality, he exceeds everything I anticipated for this window,” declared Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano.
“Chico is precisely what we need. He’s a creative playmaker, adept at playing both as an eight or ten, yet excels more in the advanced role.”
“Having trained with his previous club in Spain, he should be relatively fit, and I’m eager for him to hit the ground running in no time.”
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After ending their association with club legend David Ball earlier in the window, the ‘Nix targeted a player they believed could reinvigorate their attack.
Presently occupying tenth place in the standings and six points adrift of the top six, last season’s semi-finalist side has struggled mightily, particularly in offensive outputs.
Without the likes of Oskar Zawada, Bozhidar Kraev, and Ben Old, all of whom departed following last season, the ‘Nix find themselves with the second-lowest Expected Goals (xG) figure (14.6). They are also averaging the fewest shots on target of any team in the league.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: What to catch for Round 19 of the Isuzu UTE A-League
Yet, in 29-year-old Geraldes, Italian coach Italiano believes he may finally have uncovered a talent to help link up with veteran Kosta Barbarouses at the forefront of the Phoenix’s attack.
Having progressed through Sporting CP’s academy, Geraldes made 15 appearances for the senior side before making an impactful stop at Rio Ave, where he tallied 77 appearances, racking up 5 goals and 13 assists. His career then transitioned through Germany, Greece, the UAE, and Malaysia.
Key Forward’s Return Feels Like a Fresh Signing for Roar
While the season has largely been a challenging one for Brisbane Roar supporters, the return of Henry Hore has injected some positivity.
After an impressive previous season with the Roar, Hore was loaned to K League club Gangwon FC but is now back at Brisbane and has effectively become a new signing for coach Ruben Zadkovich.
Since his return, Hore has already netted two goals within three matches, providing the Queensland side with hope for revitalised form ahead.
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Prior to their remarkable 4-3 victory against Sydney FC on January 18, the Roar had gone 12 matches without a win, accumulating only two points during that stretch.
Moreover, the recent transfer of star forward Thomas Waddingham to Portsmouth has left a considerable void in their forward line.
Hore’s seamless integration post-return could play a significant role in propelling the Roar back up the ladder.
Joining Hore in a revamped Brisbane forward line is former Portuguese youth international Asumah Abubakar.
On a contract until season’s end, the 27-year-old forward recently played in Switzerland with Socceroo Awer Mabil at Grasshoppers.
“Asumah possesses incredible talent, a commendable work ethic, and substantial experience at high-stakes levels,” noted Brisbane Roar COO, Zac Anderson.
“His pace, technical skill, and attacking mindset are invaluable for us.”
In addition, the last-placed club in the Isuzu UTE A-League has added promising talent Nathan Amanitidis from Sydney FC to bolster their attacking front. Furthermore, they have signed defenceman Austin Ludwik, who enjoys a celebrated history in the NPLM QLD with two premierships and championships under his belt, earning him a first professional contract to join the Roar for the remainder of the season.
Ludwik will now vie for a spot in the Roar’s backline against Lucas Herrington, Hosine Bility, and Lebanon international Walid Shour.
Wanderers Aim for Finals Footy with Four New Signings
Western Sydney head coach Alen Stajcic has finalised four new signings to reinforce his squad ahead of the deadline with a focus on fortifying their defence.
With Jeong Tae-wook’s continuing ankle issues hampering the squad, Stajcic has often been forced to shuffle defensive assignments throughout the season.
Defender Anthony Pantazopoulos has often partnered Alex Bonetig in the centre-back role while midfielder Josh Brillante has also filled in, but Stajcic is optimistic new recruit Joshua Laws can address this puzzle.
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Former Wellington Phoenix defender Laws has transferred to the Wanderers after a stint in Switzerland with Grasshoppers. With 50 A-League appearances to his name, he is expected to hit the ground running when called upon.
Returning to Australian football is six-time Socceroo Alex Gersbach, who signed a two-and-a-half-year deal after nine years plying his trade overseas, most recently in the Swedish top tier with Kalmar FF. Gersbach is anticipated to provide competition for the existing left-back, Jack Clisby, once he regains his match fitness.
In another addition, former Wanderers academy talent Jarrod Carluccio rejoined the club after previous work with Perth Glory. Now at 24, Carluccio made 12 appearances for Glory this season and adds depth to Stajcic’s squad thanks to his versatility.
Finally, fellow academy product Mohamed Al-Taay has returned to Western Sydney after an 18-month stint with Wellington Phoenix, contributing additional defensive support following Dylan Scicluna’s season-ending ACL injury.
Jets Embrace Experienced Japanese Forward Making Immediate Impact
Newcastle Jets experienced a quiet transfer period, but the acquisition of Japanese international Kota Mizunuma has already proven advantageous for Rob Stanton’s team.
Capped twice for Japan, Mizunuma joined the Jets with an impressive background of 395 J1 League outings, capturing both the J1 League title and the Emperors Cup. Under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou and Kevin Muscat at Yokohama F. Marinos, Mizunuma earned a spot in the J1 League “Best XI” in 2022 and was a crucial factor in the club’s championship win.
In his first three games for the Jets, Mizunuma has contributed two assists, signalling a bright future with his new club; his first assist facilitated an exhilarating comeback draw against Central Coast, as he assisted Mark Natta in securing a much-needed point. The following match saw him provide a key assist to Lachlan Rose in the Jets’ impressive 3-0 victory over Melbourne Victory, who are poised for a top-six finish.
Although the Jets are ten points adrift from the top six and face an uphill battle for a finals berth, Mizunuma’s early contributions indicate he could play a vital role if they manage a resurgence.
Mizunuma was one of two players to join the Jets in mid-season, alongside former Macarthur Bulls forward Charles M’Mombwa.
Victory Strengthen Key Positions but Struggle to Replace Socceroo in Window’s Final Days
Subway Socceroos goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak has acclimatised remarkably well since his January return to Melbourne Victory, but questions remain whether new coach Arthur Diles has done sufficient work during the transfer window to fill the gap left by right-back Jason Geria’s departure.
Geria’s move to Japanese club Albirex Niigata has created a notable void, and it went unaddressed during the mid-season transfer period; Olyroo Josh Rawlins has benefited from this, receiving an uptick in playtime since Geria’s exit. However, beyond the 20-year-old full-back, there are few solid options available.
Victory did manage to secure one defensive acquisition: former Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets centre-back Lachlan Jackson, who transferred from K-League 1 side Suwon FC. Jackson joins a seasoned Victory centre-back group that includes captain Roderick Miranda and Brendan Hamill, although fullback depth remains a concern. Additionally, adolescent Western Sydney midfielder Alex Badolato was the third signing of the window, joining on loan from the Wanderers.
Five Clubs Opt to Maintain Status Quo in Transfer Window
Not every club was active during the mid-season transfer window, with five teams making only one signing or none at all.
Surprisingly, Adelaide United did not make any new acquisitions despite clear gaps in central defence. Dutch defender Daan Klomp was evaluated by the club in January, but a deal never materialised, leaving head coach Carl Veart to rely on Bart Vriends, Panagiotis Kikianis, and Jordan Elsey as his main centre-back options.
With Kikianis currently on Young Socceroos duty for the U20 AFC Asian Cup, veteran midfielder Isaías has filled in at centre-back alongside Vriends, who previously dealt with injuries. However, Elsey’s timely return from injury has been crucial as he aims for his first minutes of the season against Newcastle Jets in Round 19.
League leaders Auckland FC made a lone move, securing winger Marlee Francois as a free agent. Similarly, Central Coast only signed Abdul Faisal from Perth Glory, with head coach Mark Jackson likely regretting the lack of a striker to support Ryan Edmondson and Alou Kuol, especially after Edmondson’s shoulder injury is projected to sideline him for the remainder of the season.
Melbourne City opted against new signings, with head coach Aurelio Vidmar hoping for the return of Alessandro Lopane, Kai Trewin, and Andreas Kuen in the coming weeks meanwhile Western United added just one new face, 194cm goalkeeper Alex Naddiep, who signed the team’s longest contract following Tom Herward-Belle’s transfer to Japan.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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