Former Fortuna Dusseldorf and Melbourne City FC defender Ross Archibald has returned to Kingston Heath for the 2016 NPL Victoria season.
It will be his second spell with Bentleigh Greens, having turned out for John Anastasiadis’ men during the course of the 2014 NPL season, where made five appearances and scored one goal.
The 21-year-old links up with the reigning NPL Champions having spent the past six months with 2. Bundesliga outfit Fortuna Dusseldorf’s Under 21 side, a club which has also previously featured fellow Australians Robbie Kruse, Ben Halloran and Julius Davies.
A Queensland Academy of Sport graduate, The Brisbane-born defender spent three years with Brisbane Roar’s NYL squad, followed by a stint at Olympic FC, before moving south with Melbourne Heart’s youth side in 2013.
He made a debut as a late substitute for Harry Kewell in Heart’s memorable 4-0 win over crosstown rivals Victory in March 2014.
Archibald made a further three appearances for the re-branded Melbourne City FC in the 2014-15 season before being released by the club at the conclusion of its season.
He joins Kamal Ibrahim (Port Melbourne), Danny Charalambous (Moreland Zebras), Milos Ridesic (Melbourne Victory), Kane Pierce (South Hobart [TAS]), Josh Brindell-South (Lions FC [QLD]), Nathan Tidmarsh (Gunghalin United [ACT]), Ryan Paczkowski (Mornington SC) and Jakob Williams (Oakleigh Cannons) at Kingston Heath in 2016
Bentleigh have also confirmed the departure of Troy Ruthven, who will not re-sign for 2016 after agreeing terms with former club Gold Coast City (formerly Palm Beach Sharks).
The versatile 25-year-old scored the opener in his side’s Grand Final triumph over South Melbourne, and returns to Queensland for university commitments.
The player movement marks a vast squad turnover as John Anastasiadis aims to keep his squad fresh, with Ryan Love (Kingston City), Jamie de Abreu (Port Melbourne), Alastair Bray (Central Coast Mariners via Green Gully), Steven Topalovic (Oakleigh Cannons) and Daniel Visevic (Hume City) leaving the club.
Chris Lucas, Matthew Thurtell, Wayne Wallace, Ryan Scott, Dion Kirk, Luke Pilkington, Liam McCormick are the other players to have re-signed for 2016.
Bentleigh will begin its title-defence with a Friday night home clash against the newly promoted Bulleen Lions on February 19, following its Community Shield outing against South Melbourne on February 12.