Image: Sydney FC
The Preston Lions have completed the double signing of former Sydney FC midfielder Robert Stambolziev and ex-Melbourne Knights and Bentleigh Greens forward Daniel Visevic.
As reported by the Preston Leader, the duo become the club’s first two signings under new coach Lou Acevski who was appointed in charge following the Lions 1-0 defeat at home to Keilor Park in Round 3.
26-year-old Stambolziev spent the majority of his junior career at Preston having been a junior at BT Connor Reserve from 1998 until 2005 before spending a season with Hume City.
After two years in the academy of Championship side Bristol City he was offered a senior contract at The Robins following the completion of the 2008/09 season.
However the teenage winger rejected the offer in favour of a deal with Greek giants Panathinaikos, spending the next two years of his career in the Greek capital.
A subsequent loan to top flight club Kavala followed stints with third and second tier Greek sides Proodefitki and Thrasyvoulos before joining top flight Cypriot club Olympiacos Nicosia in 2012.
Two full seasons in the Cypriot First Division with Nicosia and AEK Kouklia preluded a stint in the Greek top-flight in 2014 with Niki Volos.
A former trialist at both Stoke City and Birmingham City, Stambolziev returned to Australia in January 2015 by joining Sydney FC, whom he helped reach the 2015 A-League Grand Final.
He joined the Sky Blues as an injury replacement for the injured Corey Gameiro and scored the winner in their 4-3 victory over the Newcastle Jets that season.
A full season in the harbour city saw his playing opportunities restricted although Stambolziev did score in the Asian Champions League as Graham Arnold’s men defeated Chinese heavyweights Guangzhou Evergrande 2-1 at Allianz Stadium on their way to topping the group.
He has subsequently spent time at Conference side Kidderminster Harriers as well as Cypriot second-tier club PAEEK and is currently awaiting international clearance to be eligible to play for the Lions.
28-year-old Visevic is one of the more experienced players in Victorian football with a decade of top-flight participation, which most recently saw him play at Hume City and Altona Magic in 2016.
A VIS graduate, he made his senior debut with Richmond in 2006 and hit double figures in the VPL as a 17-year-old while also being a train-on player at the Melbourne Victory under Ernie Merrick.
An injury-interrupted start to 2007 season saw the teenager swap Kevin Bartlett Reserve for Knights Stadium, having moved to the Melbourne Knights half-way through the campaign.
He subsequently joined Croatian heavyweight Dinamo alongside fellow Knights youngster Mate Dugandzic in Croatia, with the duo loaned out to Dinamo’s second tier sister club Lokomotiva Zagreb.
Visevic returned to Richmond in 2009 and won the 2010 VPL Premiership with the club before experiencing relegation from the top flight with the St Albans Saints in 2011.
A third spell at Richmond was followed up by stints at the Port Melbourne Sharks in 2013 as well as a return to the Knights in the inaugural NPL campaign.
The one-time Werder Bremen trialist was an integral part of John Anastasiadis’ Championship-winning squad with the Bentleigh Greens in 2015 before being signed by Acevski at Hume last year.
An unfortunate shoulder injury has kept him out of action for the best part of the last 18 months although Visevic is approaching match fitness as the Lions look to climb up the State League One ladder.
Preston are winless from their opening four games and currently sit in 10th position on the standings, level with Altona East Phoenix who are in the relegation zone alongside last-placed Westgate.