Inaugural Melbourne Victory players Archie Thompson and Adrian Leijer will remain at the club next season after the pair signed contract extension.
Inaugural Melbourne Victory players Archie Thompson and Adrian Leijer will remain at the club next season after the pair signed contract extensions.
Thompson (184 games), who has signed a one-year extension, and Leijer (162 games), who will be at the club for at least another two seasons, have both pulled on the navy blue shirt more times than any other players in Victory-s history.
Coach Kevin Muscat said he was delighted to have secured their services again.
“Both of these boys have been with us since day one and as we head into the ten-year anniversary of this great club, I-m thrilled Archie and Adrian will be with us again next season,” Muscat said.
“Archie is a proven performer and is certainly someone that every fan of Melbourne Victory looks up to and admires.
“While Adrian has had a slightly disrupted year as a result of a serious facial injury, he-s shown that he is an important and very reliable part of our defensive structure and is a highly respected member of our change room.”
Thompson sits atop the Hyundai A-League-s all-time goal scorers list with 78 goals in his 184 appearances, ahead of Perth Glory-s Shane Smeltz, who has scored 77.
“Anyone who knows me, including all our loyal fans, knows I bleed blue,” Thompson said.
“I can-t imagine playing at any other A-League club and I-m really happy that I-ll be with Melbourne Victory as we prepare to celebrate our tenth anniversary next season.”
Leijer said he was thrilled to be remaining with the club at which he made his senior debut.
“Melbourne Victory is a great club with a great history and a terrific culture,” Leijer said.
“I am obviously delighted to be staying with the club and look forward to working with Kevin (Muscat) for another couple of seasons and sharing in the club’s continued success in the near future.”
Player Bios:
Archie Thompson
A-League Games: 184
Goals: 78
AFC Champions League Games: 15
AFC Champions League Goals: 1
Honours: 2006/07 & 2008/09 Premiership, 2007 & 2009 Championship, 2006/07 & 2009/10 Victory Medal, 2007 Joe Marston Medal, 2005/06 A-League Golden Boot
Adrian Leijer
A-League Games: 162
Goals: 6
AFC Champions League Games: 14
AFC Champions League Goals: 1
Honours: 2006/07 Premiership, 2007 Championship, A-League Young Footballer of the Year 2006/07
