Image: Mark Avellino
Francesco Stella has returned to Avondale following his departure from the Central Coast Mariners, making his debut in the narrow 2-1 defeat to Hume City.
Stella made his way onto the park as a second half substitute, replacing Jem Berkant on the hour mark.
He enjoyed a number of bright moments on his return to the NPL Victoria, which saw three goals come beyond the 87th minute mark.
Substitute Matt Sanders was able to put Avondale into a late lead, only for Shane Rexhepi and Craig Carley to grab a late double salvo for Hume to complete a stunning comeback victory.
The 24-year-old featured for the club last season, making 10 appearances and scoring two goals for Anthony Barbieri’s men after joining them mid-season alongside Massimo Murdocca.
After impressing Mariners coach Tony Walmsley during pre-season, Stella moved to Gosford in January along with Alastair Bray and Tomislav Uskok, the trio joining current Goulburn Valley Suns forward Dan Heffernan at the club with the quartet all featuring in NPL Victoria in 2015.
The attacking midfielder made a total of eight A-League appearances, in addition to the seven games he played for the Melbourne Victory over the 2013-14 season.
His coveted signature bolsters Anthony Barbieri’s squad which recently also secured the services of former Melbourne City midfielder James Brown, while fellow A-League man Spase Dilevski has been ruled out with a long-term injury.