Former Sydney Olympic star Max Burgess, looks set to continue his A-League career, but not with the club that lured him away from Olympic, Wellington Phoenix. It’s believed, that new Victorian A-League club Western United is poised to announce the signing of the talented midfielder as part of its inaugural A-League squad.
The 24-year-old has just completed his maiden A-League season with the Phoenix during which he made 23 appearances including 16 off the bench. Phoenix’s coach Mark Rudan signed Burgess after the young playmaker played a major role in Olympic winning the 2018 NSW NPL Championship.
Burgess’s expected signing with Western United follows the club’s recent signing of another player from the Phoenix, keeper Filip Kurto. United is expected to also announce the appointment of resigned Phoenix coach Mark Rudan as its new senior coach. It was he who plucked Burgess from the NSW NPL recognizing the young player’s potential.
On announcing his departure from the Phoenix, Burgess said, “I’ve had the opportunity of playing with a great group of footballers and it’s been an absolute privilege wearing the Wellington Phoenix shirt and living in this fantastic city.”
Burgess had two stints at Sydney Olympic in 2017 and 2018 sandwiching a brief spell playing in Europe in Portugal. He played a total of 31 games for Olympic scoring nine goals.
His brother, midfielder Darcy Burgess continues to play his football with Sydney Olympic in the NSW NPL.
Whilst there is expected to be a lot more player movement in and out of A-League clubs in the coming weeks, the transfer window has also opened in the NPL. A few of the clubs which have struggled in the first half of the season, are expected to announce player movements in the coming days and weeks.
South Melbourne has announced the departures of keeper Alastair Bray and George Howard.