Photo: Instagram (@dyll99)
Former Melbourne Victory defender Dylan Murnane has secured a move to Norwegian 1. divisjon club Kongsvinger IL Toppfotball for the remainder of the 2016 season.
The 21-year-old left-back spent time trialling with Tony Popovic’s Western Sydney Wanderers after his release from the Victory in late-May before making the move to the Norwegian second division, where he’s been busy trialling for the last three weeks.
He was amongst the best-on-ground in Kongsvinger’s friendly fixture against Sander IL earlier in the week, which aided the club’s decision to sign the former Port Melbourne Sharks man.
“We’ve signed Dylan on a contract for the remainder of the season. He provides us with much needed back up, with Lars Rydje and Christian Røer struggling with injury,” said sports director Espen Nystuen in a translated statement from Kongsvinger’s official website.
“Dylan will be a good back up while he contributes to greater competition for places and has made a positive impression both as a player and person . Now we have half a year to get better acquainted with him.”
Kongsvinger were promoted from the 2. divisjon (Norwegian third division) after a first place finish in 2015, and currently occupy a promotion play-off spot, sitting in fifth place with six games of the season remaining.
Murnane announced the move via Instagram, signalling his desire to help his new side gain promotion to the top flight, having last competed in the Norwegian Tippeligaen in 2010.
“[I’m] pleased to announce I have agreed to terms with Kongsvinger IL for the remainder of the season, looking forward to trying to help the club get promoted into Tippeligaen,” he said via his Instagram account.
“Thank you to all involved in getting the deal done.”
Murnane was one of four players released at the end of the 2015-16 A-League season, alongside fellow youngsters Jesse Makarounas, Giancarlo Gallifuoco and veteran Archie Thompson.
The former Port Melbourne Sharks man made 24 league appearances, with 19 starts for the Victory after making his senior debut in 2013 in a 1-1 draw against Sydney FC.
He failed to nail down a starting berth in his four-year stint, with Adama Traore, then Daniel Georgievski preferred down the left side, with Scott Galloway providing ample competition for places.
The new signing will don the number seven jersey while at the club.