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Writer's pictureThomas Pombart

FPF's round-up of the A-League off-season so far

It has been one of the busiest A-League off-seasons to date so far.


The league has secured a new TV deal with Channel Ten/Paramount +, Alen Stajcic departed the Central Coast Mariners.

Macarthur is making major moves with the signings of Ulises Davila, Daniel De Silva, Craig Noone and Tomi Juric.

So, who has done what on the recruitment side of things so far?


Adelaide United landed Nick Ansell and confirmed the re-signing of Craig Goodwin, again on loan, with both signings bolstering the defence and attack, respectively.

Brisbane Roar signed Nikola Mileusnic but lost star striker Dylan Wenzel-Halls to a free transfer to Western United.

Wenzel-Halls spent three seasons in Brisbane. (Western United FC)


The Mariners lost Stajcic after a disagreement about transfer funds for the upcoming season, despite the ex-Matildas manager guiding them to a first finals finish since the 2013-14 season last time out.


Macarthur lost 11 players, with three of those being players in crucial positions in the form of Mark Milligan, Beñat and Markel Susaeta, who all retired following the 2020-21 season.


Melbourne City has only brought in Matthew Leckie.


Still, he is arguably one of the biggest signings in recent years for the A-League.


New Melbourne Victory manager Tony Popovic, with his wealth of experience, has brought in quality aplenty.


Chris Ikonomidis, Jason Geria, Josh Brillante, Jason Davidson, Stefan Nigro, Ivan Kelava and Nick D'Agostino have joined the Victorian capital.


This significant outlay on new players is despite the side picking up the wooden spoon last time out.


Last season also saw them defeated 7-0 and 6-0 by cross-town rivals Melbourne City.

Chris Ikonomidis has made 14 appearances for the Socceroos. (Melbourne Victory)


The Newcastle Jets have brought in a new manager in Arthur Papas.


He has used his links with Popovic's former club Xanthi FC to bring in former Socceroo Matt Jurman and Georgian international Beka Mikeltadze.


The Jets also bolstered their defensive ranks with Jordan Elsey and Riley Warland penning deals with the Hunter side.


Perth Glory has brought in two new big faces in Brandon O'Neill and Brad Jones, with O'Neil returning to the side after nearly six years away.


Former Socceroo Brad Jones also signed a deal with the Western Australian side, his first taste of domestic football in Australia.

Brandon O'Neill made 17 appearances during his first stint in Perth. (Perth Glory)


Sydney FC mainly strengthened their defence and midfield by signing former Newcastle Jets trio Connor O'Toole, James Donachie and Max Burgess.


Elvis Kamsoba also swapped Melbourne for Sydney, citing the club's success as being one of the main deciding factors in signing with the Sky Blues.


Wellington Phoenix re-signed Gary Hooper and Callan Elliot but lost major players in Davila, Cameron Devlin, Tomer Hemed and Stefan Marinovic.


The Wanderers brought in two former Melbourne Victory players in Adama Traore and Terry Antonis.


Carl Robinson also looked to his duo of former Newcastle players in Dimitri Petratos and Johnny Koutroumbis.


They were both recruited for the 2021/22 season.

The Wanderers are Petratos' fourth A-League Men club. (WSW)


Western United appointed a new head coach in John Aloisi.


He wasted no time in bringing in a highly experienced duo of Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Jamie Young.

He also brought in hot prospect Dylan Wenzel-Halls, fresh off a red-hot 2020-21 campaign with the Brisbane Roar.

But who was the best coup of the off-season?


It has to be Matthew Leckie.

The CV Leckie poses is impressive, having spent the last ten years of his career in Germany and spearheading the Socceroos attack under Graham Arnold.

The prospect of facing the trio of Leckie, Jamie Maclaren and Andrew Nabbout will be a force to be reckoned with when the season begins.

It will cause headaches for every A-League manager trying to figure out how to nullify the trio.

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