New Bentleigh Greens signing Chris Lucas is eyeing a return to the A-League.
The now 22-year-old was an integral member of the defunct Gold Coast United National Youth League set-up, making his one and only senior appearance in the 2010-11 season against Sydney FC.
Since then, the striker has plied his trade in the Queensland National Premier League, dominating in the state’s top flight.
Spurred on by the potential of a second A-League berth, Lucas is hoping his move south to the Victorian NPL will turn heads.
“Ever since Gold Coast United folded – I had a year in the youth team in the 2011/12 season – I knew this is what I wanted to become,” Lucas said.
“I’m hoping the move to the NPL Victorian League can help me get my name out there and hopefully get an opportunity to get back into the A-League.
“I made my professional debut against Sydney FC in 2012 and that just made me hungrier for more professional football.”
Lucas bagged a staggering 35 goals in 26 games for Palm Beach Sharks last season, finishing second in the competition’s golden boot race while claiming the prize as the league’s most valuable player.
He was an instrumental component in the Shark’s championship winning season and Westfield FFA Cup run, bowing out in the Quarter-Finals following a 5-0 defeat to the Central Coast Mariners.
The attacker is expecting to face some stiff opposition in Victoria, most notably from South Melbourne’s Milos Lujic.
“I don’t know a lot about many players in the NPL Victoria but obviously I know a bit about Milos Lujic because he was the golden boot winner last season,” he said.
“That was my aim in the NPL QLD league but unfortunately, I fell short by just one goal.
“He also won the gold medal for the league which I also received the equivalent in the NPL QLD but is called the MVP.”
Hailing from Tweed Heads on the New South Wales border, Lucas makes up a quartet of Queenslanders to have inked a deal with the Bentleigh Greens juggernaut in 2015.
Lucas will link up with fellow Palm Beach teammate Troy Ruthven, while Brisbane Strikers attacker Matt Thurtell and South Melbourne championship medalist Tyson Holmes arrive at the club ahead of the 2015 season.
“I was approached by four different clubs in the Victorian NPL, and in the end I was happy with Bentleigh’s offer,” the forward said.
“A few things helped me make my decision with signing at Bentleigh. I know a few fellow Queenslanders that have also joined the club. I know they have a strong squad from last season and it will be even stronger this season with more signings.”
Bentleigh Greens kicks off its 2015 PS4 NPL season against North Geelong Warriors on Friday February 20 at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.