Young left-back Aziz Behich has returned to the A-League after he signed a one-season loan deal with former club Melbourne Heart.
Young left-back Aziz Behich has returned to the A-League after he signed a one-season loan deal with former club Melbourne Heart.
After 65 appearances for the Heart between 2010 and 2013 Behich moved to Turkish Super Lig club Bursaspor in January this year, only to struggle for opportunities in their first-team.
He only managed one appearance in Turkey and the Heart were quick to sound out the interests of gaining the 22-year-old back on loan.
Bursaspor agreed to the move and Behich will arrive back in Melbourne this weekend and join in the club’s pre-season with his former team-mates on Monday.
Heart coach John Aloisi was thrilled with the deal and believes Behich will be an important cog in his side when the new A-League season commences in October.
“Aziz brings so many qualities to our club that it was a no-brainer to have him back. He is just so full of energy and passion for the Heart,” Aloisi said.
“We were proud that we could help Aziz take the massive step to Europe but equally disappointed to lose him midway through last season.”
Heart also announced they had signed goalkeeper Tando Velaphi to a one-year deal.
Velaphi had been plying his trade at cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory, but has been added to the Heart squad to provide custodian Andrew Redmayne with plenty of support.
“We had a number of ‘possibles’ on trial and all the coaches agreed Tando is in all respects the best option,” Aloisi said.
“He is the best goalkeeper in Australia not currently with an A-League deal, an excellent professional and his chemistry with Andrew Redmayne is superb, so it is a great fit.”
Current Melbourne Heart FC Squad: Andrew Redmayne (GK), Rob Wielaert, Sam Mitchinson, Patrick Gerhardt, Iain Ramsay, Massimo Murdocca, Dylan Macallister, Harry Kewell, Jonatan Germano, Golgol Mebrahtu, David Williams, Jeremy Walker, Jason Hoffman, David Vrankovic, Benjamin Garuccio, Tando Velaphi (GK), Stefan Mauk, Nick Kalmar, Mate Dugandzic, Aziz Behich
