Melbourne Victory forward Danny Allsopp signed a new 2 year deal with the A-League side that will see him remain at the club until 2010.
Allsopp claimed the Reebok Golden Boot Award last season after scoring 11 goals for Victory who went on to win the A-League Grand Final with a 6-0 triumph over Adelaide United.
The former Manchester City forward was elated to secure his future with the Australian side inspite of interest from Major League Soccer club DC United.
"The club is fantastic and most of all I am enjoying my football, probably more than I ever have," Allsopp mentioned on the club's official website.
"I love it here and I am glad I have extended my contract for a further 2 years."
07 August 2007
Mark Bresciano was on the verge of completing a £5.4 million Manchester City move, however this evening Palermo said they pulled the plug.
'Manchester City really would like Bresciano, however the more time goes on, the more convinced I am nothing will come of it,' mentioned director of sport Rino Foschi on the official Palermo website.
The Australian midfielder was all set to be Sven Goran Eriksson's latest big name signing of the summer until the surprise denouement.
'There are not the right conditions to reached an agreement, even if we tried to make the player happy. It is difficult to see another ending to this, so the player should meet us at training from tomorrow. Bresciano had asked us a while back for this experience in England, however he is nonetheless content at Palermo and is more ready than ever to work with Coach Stefano Colantuono, even if he could be a little bitter.'
It is thought the transfer crumbled when Manchester City said on spreading the £5.4 million over a number of instalments starting from September.
The Rosanero would like all the cash upfront to pour back into the transfer market and so the 2 clubs abandoned negotiations this evening.
'City are not respecting the initial terms of our agreement. The economic plan they proposed today is not the same we had dictated and if the club does not make a step backwards before this evening is over, I will no longer have given my blessing to the transfer. We are not willing to wait any longer. Rules must be respected,' continued Foschi.
Bresciano was born in Melbourne of Italian heritage and was playing in the peninsula since 1999, when he was only 19.
He spent 3 seasons with Empoli in Serie B before the step up to Parma in 2002-03 and joined Palermo last summer.
The Australian international netted 6 goals in 34 top flight appearances for the Sicilians.
'Bresciano should be grateful to the club, because they gave him the opportunity to follow this dream. It was not our fault it did not come true. I am sure Mark will work hard like the professional he is.'
04 August 2007
Melbourne Victory have revealed that defender Adrian Leijer has joined English Premier League club Fulham.
The 21 year old A-League young player of the year has agreed 3 year deal with the London club, who were busy in the transfer market in the summer under new manager Lawrie Sanchez.
"It is only a fantastic opportunity for me to join a club in the English Premier League," Leijer said.
He added, "Now that I have got this opportunity, all I can do is continue to work as hard as I can to make sure I make the most of it."
Leijer was quick to praise his former club as he becomes the latest in a long line of Socceroos to make the move to England.
He said, "I have really enjoyed playing in the A-League. My time with Melbourne Victory has helped me develop as a player and has now provided me with this outstanding opportunity. I'd like to thank (Victory coach) Ernie Merrick and everyone associated with Melbourne Victory. The club was good to me, not just over the last 2 years, and also the last few weeks with the way they helped make this deal happen."
02 August 2007
Fulham are closing in on a 3 year deal for Melbourne Victory defender Adrian Leijer, as stated by the Australian club.
The reigning A-League young player of the year had an unsuccessful trial with Everton as a youngster however has impressed at the Victory at centre back over the last 2 years.
"We received an offer from Fulham Monday morning and the negotiations are progressing quite well," mentioned Victory's football operations manager Gary Cole.
"The deal has not been concluded yet, it is obviously a commercial negotiation between the 2 clubs, however I think we are pretty close. It is a good opportunity for Adrian. Fulham is a famous club in England and in the English Premier League."
The 21 year old has represented Australia at junior level and is a key part of the Olympic Under-23 squad.
And whilst Cole thinks Leijer already has what it takes to perform at the top level, he thinks there is still a lot of improvement to come.
"He is a good player and is not the finished product," Cole said.
"There is no doubt he will get better and what better to place to develop your career than a Premier League side."
20 June 2007
Benfica midfielder and former Australia U20 captain Kaz Patafta has joined Hyundai A-League champions Melbourne Victory on a one year loan deal.
The 18 year old made 3 appearances for the Portuguese giants' 1st team last season and was part of the senior Socceroos training team for the World Cup in Germany last year.
Victory coach Ernie Merrick was elated to secure the talented youngster and has confidence he can become a key player in the club's A-League and AFC Champions League campaign this coming season.
'Kaz is a terrific skill with enormous potential,' Merrick informed the club's official website.
'The quality of our league and the calibre of facilities here in Melbourne makes us a really viable alternative for big European clubs looking to loan players like Kaz.We hope to provide Kaz with every probable opportunity to continue to improve as a footballer and we look forward to seeing him develop as a key player for Melbourne Victory and for the Australian national team.'
