Like jealous siblings parading around their new toys, Melbourne City had confirmed the signing of former Brisbane Roar and current Socceroos right-back Ivan Franjic on a three-year deal, before Victory – not to be outdone by their rivals – sealed goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, also on a three-year deal, as a direct replacement for the outgoing Nathan Coe.
Franjic returns to Melbourne after an ill-fated spell in Russia, where the former Meadow Park junior lined up for Russian Premier League outfit Torpedo Moscow.
Injuries sustained from Socceroos duty saw the 27-year-old spend most of his time in the Russian capital on the sidelines as he made only four league appearances during his time overseas.
The move was further tainted by the Russian club owing Franjic four months wages, which subsequently led to his return back to Australia.
The 19-time Socceroo returns to his home town, where he first rose to prominence in the Victorian Premier League with spells at St Albans Saints, Melbourne Knights and the Oakleigh Cannons, before signing for the Brisbane Roar in September 2009.
Five impressive seasons at the Roar saw Franjic become an integral part of first Ange Postecoglou’s back-to-back A-League championship winning side, triumphing for a third time in 2014 under Mike Mulvey.
Franjic appeared 115 times in the league for the Roar, scoring 11 goals, and this good form saw him earn selection to Postecoglou’s 2014 World Cup squad after previously making his national team debut in December 2012.
He started the Socceroos opening game against Chile where he provided an assist for Tim Cahill’s goal, before a hamstring injury cut short his World Cup campaign.
The Socceroo was widely tipped to have secured a loan move to City during January’s Asian Cup, but the deal was scrapped at the last-minute by his Russian employers.
City manager John van’t Schip was happy with his side’s acquisition of Franjic, with the full-back sure to fit into the right-back slot at the club, a problem position for the team in the past few seasons.
“When we became aware Ivan was available, we were keen to bring him in to strengthen our squad,” he said.
“Followers of the A-League and Socceroos know of Ivan’s quality and ability, so to bring him in for next season is positive.”
Over at Melbourne Victory, the signing of Vukovic further strengthens what is already an impressive array of talent on hand for Kevin Muscat.
30 year-old Vukovic joins the Champions from Perth Glory, with his former employer’s salary cap saga prompting the shot stopper to terminate his contract with the Western Australian club.
Vukovic spent the past four seasons at the Glory where he helped the side to a maiden Grand Final appearance in the competition in 2011, only to be thwarted from a winner’s medal by a late double from new teammate Besart Berisha.
Prior to that, the talented goalkeeper made his name in the A-League with the Central Coast Mariners where he spent the first five seasons of the competition at.
Two Grand Finals yielded no success for the impressive custodian, with the latter one in 2008 marred by Vukovic’s slap on the arm of referee Mark Shield for his refusal to award the Mariners a last minute penalty.
That incident led to a lengthy ban which caused the Olyroos first-choice goalkeeper to miss the 2008 Olympics.
Further heartbreak followed for Vukovic in 2010 when a move to Turkey ended as soon as it began with his club Konyaspor releasing him upon arrival after discovery they had signed too many foreigners.
A spell at the Wellington Phoenix eventuated soon after where he became the first and only goalkeeper to date in the A-League to score a goal after converting a penalty against the North Queensland Fury.
Vukovic also spent a short time on the books of Vegalta Sendai in Japan under the stewardship of Graham Arnold in an attempt to force his way in the 2014 World Cup squad.
In total, the former Olyroos goalkeeper is second on the A-League’s all-time game appearances record with 227 league games to his name, just one behind the recently retired John Hutchinson.
His move to Melbourne has come about as a result of his desire to be closer with his Sydney-based family, considering his wife Kirsty is pregnant with the couple’s first child at the moment.
“The best interests of our child will always come first and while I leave Perth with a heavy heart, the opportunity to move closer to home was very important to Kristy and I,” Vukovic said.
“Melbourne Victory is the biggest club in the country and I look forward to working with Kevin and the team as the club looks to build on last season’s success.
“I have always admired Melbourne Victory from afar and I can’t wait to play in front of packed stadiums week in, week out.”