Image: Natasha Morello
Kingston City have made Bulleen Lions defender Nathan Tidmarsh their third signing of the off-season as the 2016 NPL2 Champions step up their recruitment drive ahead of next season.
The 21-year-old Canberra native moved to Victoria almost 12 months ago by joining the Bentleigh Greens from ACT NPL side Gungahlin United.
The 2013 Australian Schoolboys representative struggled for game time under John Anastasiadis with first-choice left-back and fellow Canberra product Luke Pilkington ahead of him in the pecking order.
He subsequently moved to David Barro Stadium in the mid-season transfer window and made eight league appearances for the Lions to help the club avoid relegation as Dominic Barba’s men finished the season in 11th place on the competition ladder.
Tidmarsh’s second half introduction in a late-season home fixture against Northcote saw him make an impressive impact with his attacking contribution earning him many plaudits as Bulleen equalised late on to secure a point which proved pivotal in the race to avoid the drop.
He follows former Dandenong Thunder pair Daniel Bennett and Faisal Sakhizada as new signings at The Grange Reserve, with City wingers Bennett and Mouad Zwed also hailing from the nation’s capital.
Kingston manager Nick Tolios was delighted at the coup, with Tidmarsh capable of playing in a number of positions across defence including both full-back positions.
“Nathan brings a lot of quality into to the dressing room and will provide plenty of competition to our existing squad members in such positions. I expect him to be an important first-team member next season as we embark on our first foray into the top-flight in almost a decade,” he said.
He becomes the second Bulleen Lions squad member from the 2016 side to depart the Veneto Club following Japanese attacker Takanori Nishimoto’s move to the Port Melbourne Sharks on Tuesday.