Melbourne Victory have signed Lucas Spinella and Thomas Deng to senior contracts for the 2015/16 season.
Both have been promoted from the club’s youth team, where they’ve been playing in the Victorian NPL this season.
Goalkeeper Spinella, previously from the AIS, has also had stints at Bulleen, Richmond and Sunshine George Cross in Victoria’s state leagues.
He also spent time on the bench in the senior squad before Michael Turnbull arrived as Laurence Thomas’ understudy, who was deputising for the injured Nathan Coe in the latter stages of last season.
“I feel privileged to have been involved in the youth program at Melbourne Victory and I’m excited about the opportunity that Kevin has presented. I intend to work even harder and do everything I can to be successful in the next phase of my career,” Spinella said.
Thomas Deng played a full 90 minutes in Victory’s FFA Cup clash against Balmain, and has previously been on the senior bench in an A-League clash against Central Coast.
The former Green Gully youth will provide defensive cover for Melbourne’s central defensive and fullback positions.
It caps a massive rise for the Kenyan-born 18-year-old, who also received his first Young Socceroos call-up in April this year.
“I am extremely fortunate to be associated with such a successful football club and to be able to work with great coaches in a fantastic environment, so I couldn’t be happier at the moment,” Deng said.
Coach Kevin Muscat praised the attitudes and developments of his newest senior additions.
“Both Lucas and Tommy are fine young men and they both have put the required amount of work into improving themselves and I look forward to working more closely with them both to further develop their careers,” Muscat said.
We’ve signed youth team duo Lucas Spinella & @thomasdeng24. Details: http://t.co/byWqqxFAYV #MVFC #InEveryWay pic.twitter.com/X1y2Q5VENN
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) August 14, 2015