While a red card put a dampener on his club debut in the Melbourne derby, Melbourne Knights have offered a youngster another opportunity for senior football with the signing of Damien Miskulin.
The 20 year-old moves to Knights Stadium ironically having played against his new employers in their 2-1 triumph over Vaughan Coveny’s men last Saturday.
Miskulin had been at the Victory since the 2014/2015 National Youth League season and went onto make 24 appearances for the club over the 2015 NPL1 promotion campaign, scoring three goals.
He impressed at the centre of the defence where he formed an effective partnership with Milos Ridesic, with current Knights teammate Nick Glavan playing at right-back.
The youngster went onto make a further five league appearances for Victory this season, and was in-and-out of the side until his move to the two-time NSL Champions yesterday.
Miskulin made his senior debut as a 17-year-old at Dandenong City in 2013, scoring five goals over the State League 2 season and was utilised as a forward under manager Harry Bingham.
He continued in that role the following season in NPL1 under Ivan Duzel, making 24 league appearances in addition to score five goals as Miskulin and Glavan (Miskulin joins Glavan and Stipo Andrijasevic as another former Dandenong City man at the Knights) caught the attention of Victory coach Darren Davies, who began experimenting then 18 year-old across the backline.
“Joining the Knights is a big challenge, and one I’m really looking forward to. My family has supported this club growing up, and it’s exciting to now be playing for them” said Miskulin via club press release.
His signing adds further strength to Andrew Marth’s defence which is marshalled by captain Milan Batur and teenager Ivan Grgic, with another young defender in Anthony Katiforis also featuring in the backline this season.
The club’s acquisition of Miskulin was made possible following the release of defender Stefan Cali, who returned to Adelaide after failing to consolidate his place in the Knights starting eleven, with Josh Brekalo turning out at left back more often.