Image: Matt Johnson
The mid-season NPL transfer window has closed with a number of final day signings across the top two tiers headlined by Bulleen Lions’ acquisition of Heidelberg United midfielder Andreas Govas.
The former Greece youth international, who also represented the Young Socceroos, joins Dom Barba’s side after losing his spot in the Bergers starting eleven to the in-form Harry Noon.
The 26 year-old made 35 league appearances for the 2015 FFA Cup quarter-finals, scoring seven goals following his move to the club last year from the Oakleigh Cannons.
Anthony Fallone, Julien Cannizzaro and marquee pre-season addition Spase Dilevski have been left off the Avengers playing roster due to long-term injuries.
The Bulleen Lions have also added former Green Gully midfielder Alon Blumgart to their squad with right-back Eli Luttmer omitted as a long-term injury causality.
Heading to Green Gully is Blumgart’s former FC Bendigo teammate Corey Slevin, with the midfielder joining from Oakleigh.
Hume City secured the services of left-back Charlie Beverley from Far North Queensland as a replacement for the injured Shaun Timmins.
Former Melbourne Knights midfielder Alex Dao has returned to the top flight by becoming Northcote’s 12th mid-season signing following his departure from Box Hill United while Oakleigh have ended their two-year association with Northern Irish defender John Black, who is currently on the injury sidelines.
Pascoe Vale have signed former Hume City striker Turhan Sumbul from State League Two side Hume United as well as Chilean right-back Gonzalo Munoz from Club de Deportes Magallanes with defender Nathan Megic exiting CB Smith Reserve by returning home to join Canberra Olympic.
Port Melbourne Sharks swooped on new St Albans signing James Goulopoulos with the 22 year-old striker joining the club two weeks after joining Dinamo with former Saints goalkeeper Stjepan Gal exiting JL Murphy Reserve after two years at the club.
Former St Albans forward Ajak Panek has joined Richmond from State League One side Western Suburbs with Rick Mensink also welcoming Frenchman Tony Foglia from Stade Bordelais in the French fourth tier with Andrew Goff departing Kevin Bartlett Reserve.
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Over in NPL2 East, Box Hill United have signed former Melbourne Victory Youth and South Melbourne defender Thomas Lakic, who joins from Oakleigh.
Dandenong City have added former Dandenong Thunder midfielder Lewis Foster to their playing stocks, while his former club Eastern Lions have welcomed utility Sebastian Barrero (Box Hill United) and winger Keletso Mthembu (Springvale White Eagles).
Exiting Gardiners Creek Reserve however is star Kiwi import Sam Burfoot, who is heading overseas, and Mitchell Beamish, who has joined Old Scotch alongside Kingston defender Lucas Morrey.
The Goulburn Valley Suns will be hoping to continue their good form of late following the acquisition of Josip Perkovic from Perth-based Gwelup Croatia as well as Tamir Idris from Doncaster Rovers.
Kingston City have found a replacement for departed goalkeeper Julien Chaumet by bringing in former Werribee shot-stopper David Thomson, while league strugglers Nunawading welcome back Ivan Skorich, who returns to the club having spent the first half of the season at St Albans.
In NPL2 West, Bendigo City have made wholesale changes in the past few weeks with 11 new players joining the regional outfit, heralded by Sergio Castel-Martinez from Brisbane Olympic.
Former Avondale midfielder Burakhan Koca has left North Geelong by joining State League One side Cairnlea, who also welcome former Sunshine George Cross attacker Amara Kromah.
Sunshine have continued their re-building process with the signing of Japanese midfielder Yusei Kitade from Pascoe Vale, with Ryan Dragovic moving in the opposite direction.
Five 20s players have been promoted into the senior team at Chaplin Reserve, with Tony Ciantar’s side parting ways with last year’s top goalscorer Ayodeji Omoboye.
Meanwhile, mystery surrounds the departure of Ghanaian midfielder Quaynor Mustapha from Churchill Reserve, only a fortnight after he joined the club alongside the departed Goulopoulos – Pascoe Vale was a reported destination as a replacement for fellow Visa departure Kitade.
Werribee City have also been busy in the transfer window by bringing in nine new additions headlined by English forward Shaun Weaver from Cairnlea, with Delfin Mosibe Esara exiting Galvin Park for Hume United despite being the club’s top goalscorer with six league goals for the season.