Dinamo sign Filipovic as Tsiakalakis bolsters Sunshine squad

by Staff Writers 0

Both St Albans and Sunshine have bolstered their squads for 2017, with defender George Tsiakalakis departing the former for the latter, while fellow defender Ryan Filipovic arrives at Fox Street.

Former Western Suburbs man Filipovic is known for his stint at Melbourne Knights, plying his trade at Somers Street between 2010-13.

Two campaigns were also spent at Werribee City between 2014-15 under Nino Ragusa, playing at the back alongside the likes of Steven Cudrig and Simon Colosimo.

Following that he had a short stint at Altona City in 2016.

He replaces Tsiakalakis at Fox Street, who makes the short trip to Sunshine George Cross.

In his season at Dinamo he was a mainstay at the back alongside Ryan McGuffie, forming a reliable duo at the back for Zeljko Kuzman and Kruni Razov, making 29 appearances for two goals.

Prior to that he was at Richmond with Kuzman, who brought him over to St Albans.

He could be lining up alongside another well-regarded NPL2 centre-back in Steven Cudrig, whom TCF understands may also be a new signing in 2016.

The former Altona Magic man comes over from Werribee City, where he played 60 times in two stints from 2014-15 and 2016, with a short spell at Hume City in 2016, departing mid-season after three appearances.

Andreas Miltiadou is the other new addition at George Cross.

The 19-year-old midfielder signed from Heidelberg United, where he made the solitary senior appearance for George Katsakis’ men.

A youngster to earn a spot in the senior is Brandon Petrevski, who was promoted from the club’s U20s side.

He made one senior appearance in 2016 as well, with his form in the 20s earning him a spot on the senior roster for 2017.

In another boost for the club, captain Robert Santilli re-signed for his fifth year at the club.

The 33-year-old custodian had previously suffered injury troubles in the previous year but recovered to make 16 appearances in 2016.

Another player to commit for a fifth campaign in 2017 is former Richmond SC man Adrian Logozzo.

The 21-year-old midfielder featured 27 times for George Cross, scoring once in 2016.

Meanwhile, Samuel McCall re-signs for his third campaign with the club.

The young holding midfielder played 25 times in the league, netting once, but his 2016 was also remembered by one of the best goals of the qualifying rounds of the FFA Cup in a defeat to Port Melbourne which was featured in Fox Sport’s top 10 goals of the competition.

18-year-old Ilija Manojlovic also cements a spot on the senior roster for 2017 after consolidating his place in the lineup this season, playing 19 games.

The fullback also memorably scored a winner – his only goal for the campaign – against Moreland Zebras in a 1-0 win where Juventus were visiting CB Smith Reserve during the International Champions Cup.

Dominic Falla is the final name to re-commit in Sunshine’s recent recruitment drive.

Despite featuring eight times in 2016, he has been retained by Tony Ciantar for another campaign.