Remember when Besart Berisha arrived in the Hyundai A-League five years ago?
Few really knew much about him – except of course Ange Postecoglou, who had an inkling the forward might just fit into life at his Brisbane Roar side.
In 2011 Postecoglou worked his magic, sold the vision to bring the then-unknown Albanian international to Suncorp. There wasn’t much fanfare from the local media who took a wait-and-see approach to their new acquisition
But pretty much from that point on, “Bes” wrote his own headlines, became a Brisbane hero and scourge of A-League defences.
In concert with German Thomas Broich – another largely unknown face when he signed a year earlier at Roar – the pair were unstoppable.
Ange knew having someone with Broich’s qualities to play off would work (they both spoke German too, which helped their bond).
Berisha was and is a winner. And he’s still in Australia.
A powerful, direct striker with a goals record and trophy haul with Roar (and now Victory) that reflects his desire to win everything on offer.
And ever since then, the search for those with similar potential and a desire to prove themselves in a new market has been on in earnest across the A-League.
To be fair, the name “Bobo” – or Deyvison Rogerio da Silva to use his actual name – was barely known outside of Besiktas fans, who knew him as a goal-scoring machine for their beloved black and whites.
But like Ange, Graham Arnold was able to sell the vision.
Arnold ecstatic as Bobo vows goals for Sydney FC
New country, tough league, beautiful city, big club, professional environment and you get to reunite with your former Besiktas mate Filip Holosko.
As soon as Arnie realised he had a chance to sign the Brazilian, he knew he could have a similar impact on Sydney FC as Berisha did up north. And with Holosko there, it was just meant to be.
And without jinxing it, I reckon he’s right.
If Bobo stays fit, Sydney FC have found that missing ingredient following Marc Janko’s messy departure.
Of course, Berisha signed with Roar in his mid-20s while Bobo is 31 years of age.
But with Sydney FC’s professional environment and the fewer games in the A-League, there’s no reason why the Brazilian could not have another five years of great success in Australia, just like Berisha.
But that’s looking a little too far ahead.
Right now, Sydney FC fans can dream of a front five of Ninkovic and Holosko in behind Carney on the left, Ibini on the right and Bobo central (with Brosque, Simon and Blackwood as back up) in Season 2016/17.
Now that’s impressive.
If Bobo and Holosko can rekindle their Besiktas days, they could do what Broich and Berisha did for Brisbane. And if so, Moore Park will be rocking this season.
And it all starts with a Sydney Derby at ANZ Stadium on October 8 – huge crowd, massive stadium, a classic occasion to make a statement of intent against your most bitter rival in red and black.
You get a feeling we’re going to hear a lot more about Bobo in a Sydney FC shirt.
