Images: St Albans
St Albans Saints have added versatile defender John Lazaridis to their stocks for the 2017 season.
He makes the switch from Heidelberg United, where he made 55 appearances over two separate stints.
Lazaridis was known in his formative years as a contestant on reality TV show Football Superstar.
He made a 90th minute debut in the VPL in 2009, going on to make 29 more appearances between 2010 and 2012.
A switch to Port Melbourne followed in 2013, playing 13 games at the club.
Returning to Olympic Village mid-2014, Lazarides added another 25 games in the NPL era.
He now makes the move to St Albans to help the side in their return to Victoria’s top flight.
“It is obviously important to work hard in training to be able to perform to the best of my ability, but more importantly to support and encourage my teammates,” Lazaridis told the club.
“It is great to see this club competing in the top flight again.”
“I will work extremely hard to do my bit in keeping this proud club up where it belongs.”
Slovacek became the eighth re-signing for the club after a breakout campaign in which he made 20 appearances.
Joining in 2016 after two season at Avondale, the former Port Melbourne youth started to shine in midfield alongside the likes of Josh Knight and Michael Grgic.
Slovacek will link up again with teammates Ryan McGuffie, Joseph Monek, Nicholas Sarbin, Nana Yaw, Rodrigo Covarrubias, Ben Shaper and Michael Grgic to have re-committed for 2017.
Meanwhile, Lazarides joins Daniel Chaabani, Matt Cundari, Chris May and Hernan Espindola as new additions to the club.