Image: Graeme Furlong
Kingston City have made Dandenong Thunder defender Faisal Sakhizada their second off-season recruit with the Afghan international following in the footsteps of 2016 teammate Daniel Bennett and moving to The Grange Reserve.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a standout year in defence where his performances and formidable partnership with former Socceroo Simon Colosimo earned him plenty of plaudits, contributing to a total of 11 clean sheets for the side in 25 league appearances.
In attack, he scored the solitary goal in the Thunder’s Round 13 1-0 away win over rivals Springvale White Eagles, with his first half header enabling Huss Skenderovic’s men to maintain their undefeated start to the campaign at that point of the season.
A 30-cap international with the Afghanistan national team, Sakhizada moved to Melbourne in 2012 and made his debut for the Thunder in 2013 as he became a mainstay at the club over the next four seasons at George Andrews Reserve.
In total he made 92 league appearances for the 2012 VPL Champions, scoring eight goals in total and was a towering presence in the centre of the Thunder’s defence while also occasionally featuring at left-back.
Kingston City manager Nick Tolios was delighted to capture Sakhizada’s services as the 2016 NPL2 Champions prepare for top-flight football for the first time since 2007.
“Faisal is a fantastic addition to our playing group for the upcoming season. He embodies many of the qualities which we value at our club and we are looking forward to having him around the club.”
“From a playing perspective he was probably the standout defender in NPL2 this term and his signing is a massive bonus heading into pre-season next month and the season as a whole as he provides plenty of experience and quality,” Tolios added.