Melbourne Heart FC has signed defender Adrian Madaschi from under the nose of Melbourne Victory.
The 29-year-old, who’s spent the past decade playing abroad – most recently with Portosummaga in the Lega Pro Prima Divisione – had been training with Victory since late September with a view to staying on.
But salary cap issues got in the way and Heart was quick to pounce with the offer of a 10-week contract as an injury replacement player for Kliment Taseski who will miss at least three months with a foot injury.
“Things were becoming a bit difficult at Victory,” said Madaschi ahead of training with his new teammates at La Trobe University on Wednesday.
“They’d offered their desire to sign but … there was an issue with the salary cap and that’s been the stumbling point.”
“But my focus now is on Melbourne Heart.”
“I know the football they’re trying to play and I like it.”
“My objective is to get in and try and help that as much as possible.”
Melbourne Heart coach John van ‘t Schip said Madaschi would provide cover not only for Taseski but Aziz Behic and Curtis Good who are set to be called up for international duty with the Olyroos and Young Socceroos through November.
“It’s good to have an extra defender in and having the possibility with Adrian here in town and already training for a few weeks,” said van ‘t Schip.
“You don’t find easily players already in quite good physical shape.”
“With his experience he’s the perfect player to help us out.”
Madaschi has five Socceroos caps to his credit and represented Australia at FIFA U/20 and U/17 World Cups as well as the 2004 Olympic Games.
After leaving Australia as a 15-year-old, he went on to play in Italy’s top two divisions and with Dundee and Partick Thistle in Scotland.
Van ‘t Schip said Madaschi will be in the mix to debut in Friday night’s clash with Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium pending the approval of his international transfer.
“We have to see if we can get a clearance in time,” said van ‘t Schip.
“Because we are in preparation for the game we have to see if it’s a good thing to at the last moment see if we can fit him in, but we surely have him in consideration.”
“If the clearance is OK then I will have a second thought about what we’re going to do.”
