Just a month after agreeing terms with Hume City, goalkeeper Fraser Chalmers has signed for Melbourne Knights ahead of the 2016 NPL Season.
The former Brisbane Strikers man moves to Somers Street where he is expected to be the Knights’ number one goalkeeper following the departure of 2015 NPL Goalkeeper of the Year, Chris May.
Chalmers first rose to prominence as Brisbane Roar’s youth team goalkeeper during last season’s edition of the National Youth League.
An ongoing wrist injury to regular first-choice Michael Theo last season saw the youngster spend time on the Roar’s bench as deputy to Jamie Young.
He made his debut for the senior squad under new manager John Aloisi as a late substitute in a friendly against La Liga side Villarreal at Suncorp Stadium in June this year.
However, he decided to depart the Roar at the end of the month by signing for 1997 NSL Champions Brisbane Strikers, who ultimately finished as runners up in NPL Queensland behind Moreton Bay United.
The 20-year-old even featured in goals for the Strikers during their most recent trip to Victoria in July, as they lost 4-3 in extra-time of a thrilling FFA Cup Round of 32 tie against Hume City.
His impressive form on the night attracted the interest of Hume City manager Lou Acevski, who initially signed the Queenslander late last month on the basis that regular first-choice goalkeeper Chris Oldfield would sign with Central Coast Mariners.
Since that did not eventuate, Chalmers made the move from ABD Stadium and headed west to sign with Andrew Marth’s men.
He becomes the Knights seventh summer signing following the arrivals of Stefan Cali, Dean Campelj, Jacob Colosimo, Nick Glavan, Nikola Jurkovic and Timmy Purcell – the latter’s signing came about in similar circumstances to Chalmers, after initially agreeing terms to play another season with Dandenong Thunder.