Hume City’s Matt Hennessey and Richmond SC’s Ryan Lambert will be two of the newest players to switch to Melbourne Victory’s NPL team for the 2016 season.
18-year-old Hennessey made his senior debut in 2014, going on to play 25 league games and scoring one goal.
The defender, adept at centre back or on the right side, was integral in the club’s FFA Cup run, deputising for former Victory man Petar Franjic at the back.
During those games Hennessey showed a maturity beyond his years, helping Hume finish one match short of a Grand Final.
He is the son of Hume City technical director Dean Hennessey, who in recent years also had spells coaching the Southern Stars, Green Gully and Dandenong Thunder.
Meanwhile, Lambert made his debut last year as a 15-year-old at Kevin Bartlett Reserve.
The midfielder has gone on to make 15 league appearances, helping Richmond to NPL promotion for 2016.
The 16-year-old was an unused substitute in the club’s NPL1 Grand Final win over Bulleen Lions.
He also featured for the U20s side which ironically finished league runners-up to the Victory, where he worked closely with coaches Darren Carr and Steve Houlis.
Lambert is highly rated by Richmond coach Rick Mensink, who has previously described him as “the best 16-year-old in the state.”
Both come into the squad to replace the recently departed Milos Ridesic, Nick Glavan and Patrick Avice.
Victory commence their NPL season with a Round 1 clash against Northcote City at Epping Stadium on February 20.