With the opening of the mid-season transfer window expected to usher in a movement of players in and out of NPL clubs in the coming days and weeks, both South Melbourne FC and Northcote City have been amongst the first to announce new signings.
South Melbourne FC last week announced the signing of experienced striker Ndumba Makeche for the remainder of the 2018 season, and late on Thursday announced the signing of 21 year old forward George Howard. Meanwhile Northcote City announced the return from Cyprus of former player, 21 year old Jacob Eliopoulos.
South’s forward stocks have been depleted this season through injuries and suspension. Key forward Milos Lujic is still currently serving a five week suspension and will reportedly miss more games due to overseas travel in the coming months. Leigh Minopoulos is still recovering from an injury, although he made a positive contribution off the bench scoring in the 4-2 away loss to Port last weekend.
In Makeche and Howard, they have signed two forwards who the fans hope will help turn their season around.
New signing Makeche joins SMFC after playing in Malaysia the last four and a half seasons. Before that the 26 year old, Zambian born footballer played much of his youth football in Perth, to where his family migrated when he was 12 years of age. His footballing skills attracted the attention of Perth Glory and he played for the youth team and was then offered a senior contract. However due to limited game time over two seasons there, he left the A-League club to pursue his football career in South-east Asia.
SMFC head coach Sasa Kolman told SMFC.com.au, ” We have confidence Ndumba will deliver exciting football for us at South Melbourne. He will link well with our attacking line-up, showing us the talent he displayed in the A-League at Perth Glory and then overseas in Malaysia. His maturity and experience will serve us well throughout the year.”
Howard joins from NSW NPL club Apia, but is perhaps better known for his time at Melbourne Victory where he made 13 senior appearances and 35 appearances for the reserves team. Before that he was at Box Hill United.
Both Makeche and Howard could be available for South’s league match against Bulleen Lions this Sunday at Lakeside.
Northcote’s new signing, central defender Jacob Eliopoulos comes to the club at the halfway point of the season, with Northcote along with Hume and Bulleen, having conceded the most goals in the competition. He has already made an appearance on return to the club where he played youth football under Alex Gymnopoulos and made his senior debut under Goran Lozanovski. Eliopoulos partnered Charlie Beverley in central defence in Wednesday night’s 2-0 FFA Cup win against Altona Magic.
Eliopoulos returns to Melbourne after a couple of seasons in Cyprus with the Championship winning APOEL squad in 2016/17 and with second division club PAAEK last season.
His return to Northcote reunites him with another former coach Eric Vassiliadis under whom he played at Port Melbourne Sharks before heading overseas to Cyprus.
Speaking on the Northcote City FC Facebook, Eliopoulos said of his return,
“The last two years have been an amazing experience and I am grateful for the opportunities given to me. While being back in Australia, it was great opportunity to join Northcote and to help a club that I hold close to my heart. I’ve grown up around Northcote and it is appropriate to help the club over the next few months.”
