There were big moves aplenty on the final day of the Isuzu UTE A-League transfer window, with several clubs leaving business late in a dramatic transfer deadline day.
Clubs had until 11:59pm AEST on Monday, September 16 to lodge all the official paperwork in order to guarantee their Deadline Day moves would be ratified – here’s everything that happened.
Don’t forget though, while deals needed to be completed and successfully lodged with APL by 11:59pm AEST on Monday evening in order for players to be registered, clubs may still opt to announce a few deals across the week meaning we could still be in for a few more transfer surprises yet!
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AUCKLAND UNVEIL TRIO OF NEW VISA PLAYERS AHEAD OF INAUGURAL CAMPAIGN
Auckland FC are all but ready for their Isuzu UTE A-League debut against Brisbane Roar next month following the arrival of three internationals; Guillermo May, Luis Felipe Gallegos and Louis Verstraete.
Uruguayan striker May, 26, arrives from Argentine giants Newell’s Old Boys and brings South American experience to the New Zealand-based club, Chilean midfielder Gallegos, 32, joins the club from OFI Crete while 26-year-old midfielder Verstraete lands in Auckland having most recently played for Belgian side Beveren.
FULL STORY – Auckland FC unveil foreign trio on ‘huge day’ that demonstrates A-Leagues debutant’s ‘strategy’
CITY BRING A SOCCEROO HOME AS PART OF BIG DOUBLE SIGNING!
Melbourne City have completed a double deal on transfer deadline day, luring Subway Socceroos full-back Nathaniel Atkinson back to the Isuzu UTE A-League club while signing Israel international Yonatan Cohen.
Atkinson is a Championship winner with City and returns to the Melbourne side on a three-year deal from Scottish Premiership side Hearts.
Cohen arrives on a one-year contract from Israeli champions and giants Maccabi Tel Aviv.
FULL STORY: Melbourne City’s ‘major’ deadline day statement, incl. return of Championship-winning Socceroo
BRISBANE ROAR SIGN INDONESIAN ATTACKER RAFAEL STRUICK
Brisbane Roar have announced the signing of Indonesian attacker Rafael Struick from Dutch side ADO Den Haag ahead of the upcoming Isuzu UTE A-League season.
The 21-year-old, who can operate as a number nine or on either flank, is regarded as one Indonesian football’s brightest talents and moves to the Queenslanders on a free transfer.
FULL STORY – Indonesian star swaps Netherlands for Brisbane Roar in exciting move
BULLS SECURE TWO DEADLINE DEALS AS STRIKER AND TOWERING DEFENDER ARRIVE
Macarthur FC were one of the busiest clubs on deadline day, signing two players as head coach Mile Sterjovski added some much needed depth to his Bulls squad.
The first have signing, announced at lunchtime, was former Belgian U21 international defender Dino Arslanagic.
Having most recently left Saudi Pro League side Al-Riyadh SC, 31-year-old Arslanagic arrives in Campbelltown with bag loads of experience having won the Belgian Cup on two occasions and played in the UEFA Europa League.
FULL STORY – Defender Dino Arslanagic joins Macarthur: ‘I’m a bad loser so I want to win!”
Later in the day the club then announced the signing of striker Harrison Sawyer from NPL Victoria club South Melbourne on a two-season Isuzu UTE A-League contract.
The 27-year-old makes his return to the Isuzu UTE A-League for the first time since 2016-17 when he made five appearances for Newcastle Jets.
Since his only campaign in the Australian top flight, Sawyer has won the Hong Kong Premier League at Tai Po Football Club as well as the NPLM VIC Premiership at South Melbourne in 2022 and 2024, and a pair of Golden Boots.
FULL STORY – NPL goal machine joins Macarthur after lighting up Australia Cup
PHOENIX SIGN VERSATILE MIDFIELDER AFTER IMPRESSING ON TRIAL
Back across the ditch Wellington Phoenix signed midfielder Corban Piper from Birkenhead United ahead of the upcoming Isuzu UTE A-League campaign.
After impressing during a recent trial with the club, 22-year-old Piper has now put pen-to-paper on a one-year contract with his versatility a key reason behind head coach Giancarlo Italiano’s decision to incorporate him within his squad.
FULL DETAILS – Phoenix recruit goalscoring number 10… as a centre-back! ‘I have the ability’
ADELAIDE UNITED SEAL SIGNATURE OF TALENTED YOUNG SHOTSTOPPER
Forever on the look out for the next big thing, Adelaide United made a Deadline Day deal of their own, signing talented young goalkeeper Max Vartuli from Isuzu UTE A-League rivals Sydney FC.
Described as “one of Australia’s most promising young goalkeepers”, Vartuli has signed a three-year contract with Adelaide, having graduated through Sydney FC’s academy after joining aged 14.
FULL DETAILS: Max Vertuli joins Adelaide United from Sydney FC
BRAZILIAN FORWARD WELLISSOL SIGNS FOR NEWCASTLE JETS
Kicking things off on Deadline Day were Newcastle Jets, who announced the signing of Brazilian forward Wellissol for the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Wellissol moves to Newcastle on a one-year deal from second-tier Brusque FC in his native Brazil and while he has spent the majority of his career in South America, he’s also plyed his trade in Switzerland.
FULL DETAILS – Newcastle Jets sign Brazilian forward: ‘A different point of view in attack’
