Kingston City’s mobile defender James Karvelis has signed on with Port Melbourne Sharks for the 2016 NPL Victoria season, the club’s second signing of the off-season.
The 20-year-old makes the step back up to the Victorian top-flight after spending two seasons plying his trade for Kingston City, whilst also being amongst the Melbourne Victory set-up in 2013.
Handed his senior playing debut by Arthur Papas in 2011 at the Oakleigh Cannons, the youngster followed his coach to Melbourne Heart, where he turned out for their youth squad for the 2011-12 season.
His promising form led to interest from then English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers, but a serious injury sustained in a friendly match saw that opportunity subside.
READ MORE > 2016 Off-Season Transfers
He returned to the field with South Melbourne in 2012 where he totalled five games over his two seasons for the club, earning honours at Victory Youth, in the 2013-14 season.
Fielding offers from top-division sides, Karvelis decided on a move to The Grange Reserve in order to secure more game time.
“I got offered other places but I felt going to Kingston I’d get more game time and prepare myself hopefully a contract with Victory next,” Karvelis said of his move to Kinston City.
The signing comes just days after the club confirmed the move for Bentleigh Greens speedster Jamie De Abreu, with FFV Gold Medalist Kamal Ibrahim going the other way.