Dandenong City have unveiled their third signing in the space of three days with the club welcoming back Steven Topalovic for the 2017 NPL2 East season.
The 26-year-old returns to Frank Holohan Reserve having made his senior debut for the club which was known back then as Chelsea Hajduk in 2007 as a 16-year-old after spending his junior career there.
The then-teenager consolidated his place in the first team for the next two seasons before being a finalist on the Fox 8 Reality TV Show Football Superstar, making the final five of the series in 2009.
Despite missing out on a chance to win a youth contract with Melbourne Victory, Topalovic’s performance in a 1-0 defeat to Gold Coast United caught the eye of Coach Miron Bleiberg, who convinced the youngster to head north to Surfers and play for their NYL side.
An ever-present in defence, the 19-year-old helped United claim the NYL title under coach Mike Mulvey with Chris Harold, Steven Lustica and Socceroo Ben Halloran being notable teammates.
After failing to secure a senior contract, Topalovic returned home and spent 2010 with Richmond as he helped the club claim the Premiership before losing the Grand Final 3-0 to Green Gully.
A move to South Melbourne in 2011 followed before returning to Kevin Bartlett Reserve the next year after his time with four-time NSL Champions was ended by a long-term injury.
2013 saw Topalovic move closer to home as he joined reigning Champions Dandenong Thunder where he was coached by current City manager Stuart Munro, before returning to Hajduk the following season and taking part in their inaugural season in NPL2 under Ivan Duzel, scoring two goals in 20 appearances.
Success was to follow the central defender in 2015 as he helped the Bentleigh Greens win the Championship, making a total of 26 appearances for the club while forming a formidable defensive partnership with Jack Webster at the back.
He made the short move to Jack Edwards Reserve this year by joining Oakleigh as he made 15 appearances for the Cannons before deciding to return home to where it all began for him two decades ago.
Speaking to TCF, the veteran of 122 top-flight Victorian league games detailed the motivations behind his return to the Endeavour Hills based side.
“Basically Dandenong City ticketed every box for me. They have big ambitions to get promoted next season and have shown that with some of the signings they have already made.”
“Plus the club means a lot to me. I started my senior career at the old Chelsea Hajduk and have been a lifelong supporter of the club,” Topalovic added.
“I would love nothing more than to be able to help them achieve the ultimate prize next season. In addition the location and the fact the club is so close to my work and home is just an added bonus and this all made sense.”
With A-League Championship winner Mate Dugandzic and English brother pairing Shaun and James Kelly already joining City, Topalovic is under no illusions about what the club is hoping to achieve next year and is aiming to ensure that goal is fulfilled.
“I’m coming back to win the league and get promotion so that’s the main objective for next season. I’m also happy to be back and playing for a club that means a lot to me. I have a lot of motivation to succeed next season and I hope we can deliver.”
Topalovic is new manager Stuart Munro’s fourth signing since taking over with the club already stipulating their desire to ensure that 2017 sees them achieve promotion to the top flight for the first time in the club’s 36-year history.