Image: Mark Avellino
The Preston Lions have continued their strong recruitment drive of late with the signings of five new players to the senior squad in the past fortnight.
Headlining the arrivals are Sunshine George Cross goalkeeper Robert Santilli and Scottish striker Paul Harvey, while also luring Jonathon Brooks, Matko Budimir and Jordan Fahim to BT Connor Reserve.
One of the most experienced shot-stoppers in the state, Santilli moved to Chaplin Reserve mid-way through 2012 after helping the Moreland Zebras earn promotion to the top flight the previous year.
He has spent the past five years as the club’s number one custodian, making a total of 91 league appearances in the process and in total has featured in over 100 competitive outings for the club.
Santilli has been Sunshine’s captain for the past few years and will no doubt increase competition within the goalkeeping ranks at the club whose current number one is Douglas Lindberg.
32-year-old Harvey is reunited with Preston boss Lou Acevski after a frustrating spell with NPL2 East leaders Dandenong City, which yielded just one goal in eight league games.
An otherwise clinical finisher, the Scot has previously featured for the Bulleen Lions, Ballarat Red Devils as well as Hume City in 2015 in addition to a spell with Altona Magic earlier that year.
His goalscoring record at the former three is 22 goals from 36 league games and he will no doubt be expected to support Welsh forward Chris Davies in a new look exciting forward line for the Lions.
Brooks joins Santilli in moving from George Cross, having made five appearances this term while Fahim previously featured alongside Harvey at ABD Stadium under Acevski in 2015.
23-year-old Budimir moves to the 2007 VPL Champions after ending his third spell with Werribee City earlier this week, having made 10 appearances for the Bees this term.
A St Albans Saints junior, he made his senior debut for South Melbourne in 2012 before featuring for Dinamo in 2015 and Hoppers Crossing in 2015 respectively.
While Fahim and Harvey have already made their Lions debut, the aforementioned trio could be in line to make their debuts in Round 9 fixture at home to Western Suburbs, with the Lions struggling in ninth place having won just one of their opening seven league games.
In other news, the club has confirmed the release of former Bulleen Lions forward Michael Disasi and English import Dilan Lomas.