Western United have signed Isuzu UTE A-League Championship-winning defender James Donachie and the former Sydney FC man is eyeing more success in Victoria.
Donachie joins new-look Western on a two-year deal after parting ways with Sydney, where he made 46 appearances in his two seasons at the club, having arrived from Newcastle Jets in 2021.
INS AND OUTS: Isuzu UTE A-League 2023-24 Transfer Centre
The 30-year-old brings title-winning experience after he was part of the Melbourne Victory side that claimed the 2018 Championship, and he helps fill the void left by Leo Lacroix at Western.
“I’m excited to be joining Western United, it’s a young club that’s already achieved success,” Donachie said.
“I’m keen to work hard for John and my new teammates to help win more silverware this season and beyond.
“It was great to get out on the pitch today and meet the boys. I can tell already that it will be a positive environment for me and I’m looking forward to a great season.”
Donachie is Western’s fourth new signing in what is shaping up as a busy off-season in Victoria after John Aloisi’s side failed to defend their title in 2022-23.
He joins Angus Thurgate (Newcastle Jets), Tom Heward-Belle (Sydney FC) and Matt Sutton (Melbourne City) at the club after Leo Lacroix, Jamie Young, Neil Kilkenny, Nikolai Topor-Stanley (retired), Alessandro Diamanti (retired), Tongo Doumbia, James Troisi, Ryan Scott (Newcastle Jets), Adisu Bayew, Ben Collins (Melbourne Knights), Ajak Deu, and Dylan Pierias (Western Sydney Wanderers) all departed.
“James is an important signing for us this season. He’s a proven performer at A-League level with a wealth of experience to support the youth that we will be developing, and I believe he will add significant strength and stability to our defence,” said head coach Aloisi.
“More importantly, I believe he represents our values and desire to be successful – he’s the type of player who leads by example, on and off the pitch, and he will be a valuable addition to our squad.”
