Western Sydney Wanderers have lured academy graduate Dean Pelekanos back to the club for the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Pelekanos returns to the Wanderers following two years away and after helping Rockdale Ilinden win their first NPLM NSW Premiership in 40 years and reach this season’s Grand Final.
The 23-year-old midfielder was the captain who led Western Sydney to their historic promotion to NPLM NSW before leaving for St George City FA in 2023.
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Now, Pelekanos is preparing to represent the Wanderers at A-Leagues level for the first time.
“Spending my youth here was amazing, before I signed for the youth team, I was a season ticket holder, went to every game, a huge fan, and being able to spend my youth at the club was a great feeling,” said Pelekanos.
“This club means everything to me, I was born and raised in Western Sydney, I am just as big a fan now at 23 than I was when I was a child.
“My personal goals are to perform at the highest level on a consistent basis, and make sure to be connected to the fans and community as much as possible, for team goals we obviously want to be in the finals and win trophies, this club is massive and should be competing for trophies every year.
“It’s what the fans deserve and are wanting, so being competitive and winning as much as possible is what me and all the boys should be wanting, not just for us, but for the whole of Western Sydney.”
It has been a busy off-season for the Wanderers, who appointed Alen Stajcic as their new head coach following Marko Rudan’s exit.
With the former CommBank Matildas, Central Coast Mariners and Perth Glory boss at the helm, Western Sydney have lured Bozhidar Kraev, Jeong Tae-wook (loan), Jordan Holmes and Juan Mata to Wanderland.
The Wanderers, who missed out on the Finals Series last season, have also re-signed Nathan Barrie, Anthony Pantazopoulos and Oscar Priestman.
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“It’s great to bring a former Wanderers junior back to the club,” said Stajcic.
“Dean has excelled for Rockdale and provides added depth and quality to our midfield stocks.”
