Kingston City have bolstered their defensive stocks with the signing of teen prospect Luke Eyles from South Melbourne.
The Tasmanian had originally joined South Melbourne this season after agreeing terms mid-season in 2015 to be with the club for two years, but was unable to break into the first side and departs Lakeside in search of senior experience.
He made the switch from Olympia FC where he won the Tasmanian league and cup double, with the club making the national NPL semi-finals by playing against – and knocking out – Eyles’ future employers South Melbourne.
The naturally attacking left fullback – adept at playing on either flank in defence or midfield – was previously with the Tasmanian NTC program, where he also played with former Melbourne City and Hume City right-back Jeremy Walker.
Over two years ago, his good form saw him selected as one of seven Australians invited to travel to the Nike All Asia Football Camp as a 15-year-old.
The now 18-year-old joins a club gunning for promotion from the NPL2 East, sitting behind runaway leaders Dandenong Thunder in second place, but on a great run of form themselves with six games unbeaten.
Kingston coach Nick Tolios welcomed the signing of Eyles as a great addition to the squad.
“Luke is a great addition to our squad as he can cover the long-term loss of Nick Teichmann and provides quality to our back four,” he said.
Eyles is available for senior league selection at Kingston’s discretion, but will have to sit out the FFA Cup tie due to being cup-tied having featured already for South in the competition.
Image: Walter Pless