Melbourne Victory has today unveiled former Chilean international Pablo Contreras as their marquee signing ahead of the 2013-14 A-League season.
The 35-year-old has earned a total of 67 caps for Chile, including two appearances at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Most recently plying his trade with Greek Champions Olympiakos, the 181cm centre half chalked up 17 appearances last season, notably lining up against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League.
Despite only arriving in Melbourne last night, Contreras joined his new teammates at Gosch’s Paddock for training this morning.
“I can say I am very happy to come here for this great opportunity for the club and for all the people here in Melbourne Victory”, Contreras said.
“I hope the best. I hope to help the team and when I finish the season I hope to speak English better and I hope to win the Championship.”
Coach Ange Postecoglou has been vocal in his pursuit of a central defender as a marquee, finally settling on the Chilean as his key signing.
“We are delighted Pablo has finally arrived and joined our football club. We were obviously in the market for a quality player and we worked really hard at the football club to make sure we got the right person.”
Postecoglou was delighted with his new signing, praising the Chilean’s attributes.
“He’s played 60 odd games for his national team at the highest level and played Champions League football last year. His playing qualities speak for themselves. He’s a smart defender, he’s as much about using his head as his body. I got no doubt about his football qualities.”
Light on defensive personnel with centre back Daniel Mullen returning to China after a four month loan deal, Contreras is expected to play regularly throughout the season, pairing alongside former captain Adrian Leijer or promising youngster Nicholas Ansell.
“For us it was pretty specific in terms of what we were looking for. We needed a quality player, someone who could give us some real leadership in the group” Postecoglou said.
“Particularly defensively we were probably a little light on this year – last year it was probably our achilles heel in that we didn’t have a lot of depth and once we lost Adama [Traore] we really struggled in a defensive sense.”
Earning a bronze medal with Chile at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Contreras arrives in Australia with fond memories.
“[I have] the best memories here. I stayed one month in Melbourne and one week in Sydney. I have a good memory at this moment because [the Olympics was] history for my country,” he said.
The defender will travel to Tasmania this weekend with the rest of the team for a friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday, 29 September.
“He’ll join us down in Tassie for a few days and get to know the players, get to know the team and hopefully [he’ll be] ready for round one,” Postecoglou said.
Contreras has been handed the number 2 jersey, last worn by Matthew Foschini and former skipper and now assistant coach Kevin Muscat.