Image: Altona Magic
Altona Magic have continued their splash in the transfer market with the addition of Tobias Haegele as well as the re-signings of three key 2016 squad members.
The centre-back moves to Paisley Park Soccer Complex following two years plying his trade with the Whittlesea Ranges, making a total of 41 appearances under Vinko Buljubasic.
Prior to his move down under, Haegele had featured back home in his native Germany where he had played in the nation’s fourth tier.
The German was pleased with the move, stating via press release “I’m very happy to be surrounded with quality people within the club and on the Park”.
Haegele’s becomes the Magic’s sixth new signing following in the footsteps of Joseph Franjic, Greg Lombardo, Amadu Koroma, Michael Stark and John Stojcevski who join new manager Goran Lozanovski at a club who have made their desire to achieve elevation into the NPL no secret.
In an additional boost for the five-time VPL Champions, attackers Adamson Ajayi and Ben Clarke have re-signed for 2017, as well as defender Steven Thomson.
The trio join left-back Johnny McRae, club top goalscorer Jon McShane and former Green Gully and Northcote winger Nikola Markovski in re-committing terms for the upcoming season.
The re-signing of former Sunshine George Cross and Cairnlea forward Ajayi enables the livewire to continue his ruthless partnership up top with former St Mirren striker McShane, with the duo netting a total of 30 goals over the course of season.
This included 28-year-old Ajayi scoring the winner in the Grand Final triumph over Mornington in September as Magic defeated their counterparts from the south-east.
Former Goulburn and Oakleigh wide forward Clarke enjoyed a consistent season of football, scoring 5 league goals while Thomson provided consistency aplenty at the back.
The signing of Haegele and re-signings of the trio take the total number of confirmed Magic squad members for 2017 to 12 with Altona commencing pre-season training last Tuesday.