Photo: Dave Mullins Photography
Hume City have strengthened their defensive stocks for the upcoming NPL campaign with the additions of Dillon Jakupi and Blair Govan respectively.
Jakupi has signed a two year-deal at ABD Stadium having spent the latter half of last year with in-form State League One side the North Sunshine Eagles.
The versatile 22-year-old, capable of playing in midfield or at full-back, he made his senior debut for the Fawkner Blues before joining Dandenong Thunder in mid-2014.
It was at George Andrews Reserve where Jakupi was handed his NPL debut by current Hume manager Dean Hennessey before departing the club in May 2015.
He then joined Box Hill United for the remainder of the season, featuring seven times in the league to add to his six appearances for the Thunder.
A move to Galvin Park ahead of the 2016 NPL2 campaign followed with Jakupi making a further 13 appearances for the Bees before moving to Larissa Reserve mid-year.
Jakupi credited the club’s professional structure and being reunited with Hennessey as major motivating factors behind his move up north to Broadmeadows Valley Park.
“It is an extremely professional environment, starting from the excellent coaching staff, the volunteers and club administrators, and especially the senior group who have made me feel very relaxed and at home right from the outset”, he said via press release.
“I had previously enjoyed training and playing under Dean Hennessey and coupled with the huge advantages of Hume City having the best dedicated football facility in Melbourne and the excellent coaching staff and program, it made the decision to move to Hume City an easy one”, Jakupi added.
Scottish-born defender Govan moves to Melbourne having spent 2016 plying his trade for WA NPL side Florent Athena whom he represented in the FFA Cup Round of 32 against Melbourne City.
A teammate of former Hume full-back Shaun Timmins, Govan began his career with Sorrento before progressing his way into The Gulls senior-side before his move to Athena four years ago.
The imposing centre-back is expected to partner fellow new signing Bryan Bran in defence with City set to kick-off their NPL season against the Melbourne Knights at home on February 11.
The duo become City’s 10th and 11th signings and join Wayne Wallace (Bentleigh Greens), James McGarry (Melbourne Knights), Ersin Kaya (Bulleen Lions), Atilla Ofli (Whittlesea Ranges), Liam Boland (Green Gully), Michael Weier (Brisbane Strikers), Bryan Bran, Kris Kioussis and Gian Tapia (all Richmond) as new names in the dressing rooms.
Hume face Bulleen in a friendly fixture tomorrow afternoon at 5pm with the hosts looking to become the first side to defeat Aaron Healey’s men this pre-season with the Lions yet to concede a goal in their opening four friendlies match-ups this summer.