Avondale have made what is arguably the biggest splash in the NPL Victoria transfer window so far, confirming the high-profile signings of former A-League players Massimo Murdocca and Francesco Stella.
The pair are both local Melbourne boys with both Murdocca (59 appearances, one goal) and Stella (19 appearances, two goals) featuring for South Melbourne in their junior days.
Murdocca’s long career since has seen him turn out in the A-League for the last decade, as the pint-sized midfielder made nearly 200 appearances in Australia’s premier competition.
The 30-year-old has plenty still to give to the game, despite injuries and form confining him to a mere four appearances for Melbourne City last term.
Stella both departed and returned back to Australia with a strong reputation as a clever playmaker and while his career at Melbourne Victory didn’t quite pan out as planned – a miserly seven appearances made before departing the club – the 23-year-old will be keen to show he can still make an impact Down Under.
The experienced Murdocca won’t be available for this week’s matchup against against Hume City as he is not permitted to play 30 after his release from City – on May 3 – while Stella could be eligible for this weekend, pending clearance from Thai club Sisaket FC in a welcome boost to the Avondale lineup.
Finally, the club have also confirmed the departures of Resit Culculoglu and international Jungho Kim.