Melbourne Victory have announced the signing of 31-year-old Tunisian international Fahid Ben Khalfallah on a one-year deal.
The experienced wide midfielder, who has been capped 14 times for Tunisia, scoring two goals, comes from Ligue 2 club Troyes after spending his whole career in France.
Adept at playing on both wings, the right-footer completes Victory’s recruitment for the upcoming A-League campaign, with coach Kevin Muscat pleased at the squad’s depth still weeks out from the season, a luxury it hasn’t had in previous seasons.
“Fahid’s versatility and attacking mindset is a very exciting prospect for us and we think he will add even more depth and quality to our squad,” Muscat said.
“Fahid is a top quality addition to our front third. He can play as a winger, an attacking midfielder, or even as a number nine if needed.
“We know he’ll be a big part of our 2014/15 A-League campaign.”
With career highlights including a €5 million move to Bordeaux in 2010 and a French Cup triumph with the club in 2012-13, Khalfallah fills Victory’s fifth foreign player spot.
He joins Mathieu Delpierre, Daniel Georgievski, Carl Valeri and marquee Besart Berisha as the club’s new recruits.
“We’ve focused on bringing in experienced, quality players to our squad this pre-season and I certainly think we’ve achieved that,” Muscat said.
That experience is invaluable and will also be beneficial for the younger boys in our squad who are eager to learn off those more experienced players.”
The Tunisian, signed under the salary cap despite historical big-money contracts in France, was excited for his first stint abroad.
“To me, I am very happy. It’s a new country, new culture, a new opportunity,” Khalfallah said.
“If I can stay two, three or four years, that is my objective. It’s not just one year and then leave this country, no, I come here not to finish my career but to continue it for four or five years, that would be perfect.”
The new recruit’s first hitout in navy blue could be in Tasmania, where Victory travel to face Sydney FC in a friendly on September 28.