Heidelberg United’s strikeforce is taking shape for 2017 with the announcement of Adrian Zahra as a new arrival while Kaine Sheppard signs on for another campaign at Olympic Village.
Zahra signs on from Port Melbourne Sharks, where the winger made 33 appearances and netted two goals since moving mid-season in 2015 from Melbourne Knights.
It was at the Knights where Zahra burst onto the scene, making a senior debut in 2007 under Chris Taylor.
After nearly 50 games with the Somers Street outfit he was signed by Melbourne Heart in 2010. There he played 19 games and netted twice but his career was put on hold following a horror challenge by Kevin Muscat in the Melbourne derby.
He recovered and was signed by Perth Glory, at club at which he made 18 appearances and scored twice between 2012-14.
After a short stint in Malta with Valletta he returned to the club of his youth, the Knights, with Zahra plying his trade in the NPL since then – Heidelberg becoming his third club in the Victorian top flight.
Meanwhile, Sheppard arrived at Heidelberg in 2014 following stints in England’s lower leagues clubs Histon, Braintree and Leyton Orient – notably featuring alongside a young Harry Kane at the latter.
He netted 18 league goals in his opening two seasons at the club, forming a deadly partnership with Dan Heffernan up front.
Injuries restricted the forward to just eight appearances in 2016, however he managed three league goals in that time including a late winner against Bulleen Lions at the Veneto Club.
Zahra’s signing and Sheppard’s re-signing follows the earlier re-commitments of Kenny Athiu and Sean Ellis, with the Bergers now boasting a potent front third that will look to improve on last season’s finals exit.
There has been no word yet on Archie Thompson’s status at the club, however sources indicate he is open to the idea of staying on at the club in 2017.