Newcastle Jets striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos will feature in the A-League All Stars squad that will face Premier League heavyweight Newcastle United this Friday.
The final squad of 21 players was confirmed on Monday with Stamatelopoulos having been featured from the get go as part of an initial 13 player squad.
Monday’s additions include eight players from both Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix after their seasons came to an end over the weekend.
Wellington Phoenix has been rewarded for their outstanding season with five players added to the squad including Alex Paulsen following his breakout season, young gun Ben Old, defensive duo Tim Payne and Scott Wootton, and midfielder Bozhidar Kraev.
Three players have also been added from Sydney FC including Luke Brattan, and further defensive reinforcement in Rhyan Grant and Jordan Courtney-Perkins.
Stamatelopoulos enjoyed a career-best season, with 17 goals from 25 appearances, and is the competition’s third highest goal scorer.
In Newcastle’s end-of-season awards ceremony, the 25-year-old edged out the ever-improving Kosta Grozos and keeper Ryan Scott for the A-League Men’s Player of the Year and backed up to claim the Craig Johnston Award. He also won the Golden Boot too of course, with his 17 goals.
His improvement also sees him on the radar for a Socceroos call up, with a good performance this week sure to help his case.
In a media release, A-League All Stars Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo spoke about the squad he has at his disposal.
“This squad is a fantastic mix of the best talent across the A-Leagues, including seven under-23s and four internationals.”
“This is an opportunity for all our A-League players to test themselves against a formidable team. The whole squad is excited to play a team from the best league in the world.”
The match is part of Global Football Week in Melbourne, with Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur also in town to play EPL rival Newcastle United 7.45pm AEST on Wednesday while A-League All Stars Women FC will take on Arsenal Women FC on Friday at 8.05pm AEST.
There will also be an open training session for the men tonight, Tuesday May 21, 6pm at AAMI Park and another for the women on Thursday May 23, from 5.30pm.
The games will be live on 10 Bold and streamed on 10 Play and Paramount+.
Fans can purchase their tickets to the A-Leagues All Stars double-header on May 24 at Ticketek.
A-LEAGUE MEN ALL STARS SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Alex Paulsen (Wellington Phoenix), Lawrence Thomas (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Defenders: Kai Trewin (Brisbane Roar/Melbourne City), Jordan Courtney-Perkins (Sydney FC), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Scott Wootton (Wellington Phoenix), Marcelo (Western Sydney Wanderers), Ben Garuccio (Western United)
Midfielders: Jay O’Shea (Brisbane Roar), Jake Hollman (Macarthur FC), Tolgay Arslan (Melbourne City), Luke Brattan (Sydney FC), Bozhidar Kraev (Wellington Phoenix), Ben Old (Wellington Phoenix), Angus Thurgate (Newcastle Jets)
Forwards: Nestory Irankunda (Adelaide United), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Newcastle Jets), Adam Taggart (Perth Glory), Nicolas Milanovic (Western Sydney Wanderers).
