Heidelberg United coach George Katsakis readily admits the windfall from the club’s FFA Cup quarter final appearance has made it easier to re-sign players and also attract new signings to the club during the off-season.
“It’s been an easier accomplishment this year with what’s happened in the FFA Cup. It’s only players that we actually wanted to get rid of that we did get rid of, if you know what I mean.”
Katsakis says nearly everyone of last season’s senior squad has re-signed. “We’ve lost obviously Daniel Heffernan to the A-League,” he told Neos Kosmos.
“And the departure of Slovenian midfielder Nick Kolman has released one of the visa spots. For him we’ve brought in a player called Harry Noon from England, a 25-year-old midfielder with a very good pedigree. He was part of the Manchester City youth team.
“We signed striker Sean Ellis from NPL1 club Goulburn Valley, Josh Wilkins from Perth SC, ex-Perth Glory Youth centre back Lewis Hall, and 22-year-old striker from Tasmanian NPL champions Olympia Warriors, Emmanuel Tsakiris.”
Tsakiris netted an impressive 23 times in 21 league appearances as he spearheaded his club’s NPL title win.
Heidelberg fans can expect to see nearly all their favorites from last season including Ken Athiu.
In other NPL transfer news, Port Melbourne Sharks has announced the signing of 24-year-old winger Jamie De Breu from Bentleigh Greens. De Breu was an integral part of the Green Machine which won last season’s NPL grand final. Sharks coach Eric Vassiliadis, speaking on portmelbournesc.com.au said “Jamie brings a unique explosiveness and comes with a background of success. He is someone that can help drive the group”.
Port has also picked up 20-year-old defender James Karvelis from NPL 1 club Kingston City. Karvellis made his senior debut for Oakleigh Cannons in the VPL in season 2011 followed by stints at both Melbourne Heart youth and Melbourne Victory youth teams as well as South Melbourne before settling into regular NPL 1 football at the Grange for the last two seasons.
Source: portmelbournesc.com.au