Australia NewsVictory Sign Up New Teen Striker |
MELBOURNE Victory have signed Young Socceroos striker Nathan Elasi on a six month contract to bolstering theirsquad ahead of the Asian Champions League.
Elasi, 18, has been recruited from NSW Premier League side Marconi Stallions and becomes the sixth Victory player – alongside Leigh Broxham, Evan Berger, Kaz Patafta, Sebastian Ryall and Mitchell Langerak – who is currently 20 years old or younger.Victory coach Ernie Merrick said Elasi is an exciting young prospect that the club is hopeful of keeping beyond its upcoming Champions League campaign.
“Nathan recently played for the Qantas Young Socceroos alongside Sebastian Ryall, who was Captain of the side, and Sebastian recommended him, as well as a number of others who rate him highly,” Merrick said.
“We brought him down and he impressed us so much, not only with his skill, positioning and his knowledge of how to play the strikers role, but he’s only just turned 18 and he has the build of a 25-year-old.
“Another huge benefit for him is his background in athletics and his speed; he’s a 100 metre sprinter and a hurdler as well, so we think he’s got the capabilities of an excellent striker and he’s a signing we want to keep for the longer term.”
Elasi, who claimed the Football NSW Grade 20 Golden Boot at Marconi last season, said he is looking forward to working with key forwards Archie Thompson and Danny Allsopp again after a short trial last month.
“Out of all the clubs, Victory is one I really wanted to come to,” Elasi said. “Melbourne has such a large football following and to be part of that is the highlight of my career so far.
“It’s a good time to join the club with the AFC Champions League coming up and I’m pretty proud to be part of it.
“Just to be training with Archie and Allsopp was a great experience and they’re people to look up to in the future.
“I’ve been watching them all season and trying to learn little bits and pieces off them, now to be playing with them is an extra.”
Elasi was in the change rooms following Victory’s draw against Sydney FC at the Sydney Football Stadium yesterday and will arrive in Melbourne before January 30, when the squad returns from a brief training break.
Victory will play their first AFC Champions League match against Korean FA Cup winners the Chunnam Dragons at Telstra Dome on Wednesday, 12 March.
Nathan Elasi
Date of birth: 18 Nov 1989
Place of birth: Sydney, Australia
Weight: 79 kg
Height: 180 cm
Previous clubs: Marconi Stallions (NSW), Olympic Sharks (NSW), Sutherland Sharks (NSW)
Representative honours: Qantas Young Socceroos
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