Image: Mark Avellino
Pascoe Vale have unveiled former Bulleen Lions captain Matteo Ballan as their third signing of the off-season following the arrivals of forwards Jacob Colosimo and Darcy Hall.
The 2015 NPL1 Player of the Year moves to CB Smith Reserve having spent four seasons with the Lions, making 100 league appearances for the club, which included four goals.
The 27-year-old Italian moved to Melbourne in 2012 by joining State League One outfit Fawkner Blues before making the switch to David Barro Stadium the following year.
Prior to that, he had spent time plying his trade in New Zealand’s top flight with Waikato, as well as back in his homeland with Padua-based club Luparense.
The loss of their talismanic captain is a huge blow to the Lions, who have already lost the experience of Griffin McMaster, Felix Rosman, Takanori Nishimoto and Sami Nour.
A solid defensive midfielder, Ballan strengthens Vale’s midfield stocks which already includes experienced trio Michael Ferrante, Marino Gasparis and Carl Recchia.
He joins former Melbourne Knights forward Jacob Colosimo and Tasmanian winger Darcy Hall as new additions at CB Smith Reserve for 2017.