South Melbourne FC has announced a trio of key position signings during the week including striker Harrison Sawyer, defender Lirim Elmazi and midfielder Daniel Clark.
The announcements began with Australian marquee signing, striker Harrison Sawyer who returns to Australia after a two season stint in Asia which began in 2017.

The 22-year-old Brisbane-born Sawyer is a former Brisbane Roar youth player and Newcastle Jets striker, with whom he got his first taste of professional football. He made five senior appearances in 2017, before departing Australia for Asia to further his professional career. There, he joined Philippines League club Davaio Aguilas, weathering the high humidity to win the club’s golden boot award.

Then followed a season on loan to Hong Kong Premier League club Tai Po which ended in triumph with the club clinching the league title. Sawyer also found time to continue his University studies where he is working towards an Economics degree.

South Melbourne FC Football Director Andrew Mesourouni commented on SMFC.com.au, “Despite only being 22 years of age, Harrison joins the club having a wealth of goal-scoring experience both domestically and throughout the professional leagues in Asia. He is a strong and hard working striker and we can’t wait to see him on the park in 2020.”

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As well as the 195-cm tall Sawyer, South has signed another talented tall player in central defender Lirim Elmazi from NPL club Altona Magic. Elmazi who just recently turned 22, spent three seasons at Magic, where his consistently good performances earned him two best and fairest medals. With South’s loss of central defenders Luke Adams (long term injury) and the departed Kris Konstantinidis, signing a strong central defender was a priority for coach Esteban Quintas. Elmazi, and his confidence with the ball both in the air and on the ground, fit the bill.

Speaking to SMFC.com.au, Elmazi said, “South is a big club and I am excited to be joining them for the upcoming season. After speaking with Esteban, I am excited with the direction the club is taking. So the prospect of being able to help the club climb up the table, and playing at Lakeside, was appealing to me. So I can’t wait to get started.”
Completing the trio of signings for South, is 29-year-old midfielder Daniel Clark who joins from neighbours Port Melbourne Sharks. The move means Clark reunites with a former Hume City midfield partner Marcus Schroen.

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Meanwhile, across town at the Olympic Village, the reigning minor Premiers Heidelberg United have announced the signing of striker James Demetriou. The 24-year-old Sydney-born Australian-Cypriot footballer most recently played for Sydney NPL clubs Sydney Olympic and Blacktown City. But his football journey has taken him to Britain where he spent time in the youth academies of Nottingham Forest and Premier League club Swansea City before a spell at Cypriot club Karmiotissa. In 2017. he returned to Britain to play for Welsh clubs Bangor City and Barry Town United before returning to the club where he began his junior football, Sydney Olympic in 2018. Whilst the Bergers welcome Demetriou, they have farewelled attacking player Alex Schiavo who departs the club to join Nick Tolios’s Bentleigh Greens. The Greens have also announced the signing of 22 year old attacking midfielder Aden Gardner from Norther NSW NPL champions Edgeworth Eagles.