Club stalwart Leigh Broxham and 21-year-old attacking midfielder Josh Hope have signed contract extensions with Melbourne Victory.
Broxham, 31 – who was this week awarded the club’s prestigious Victory Medal for 2018/19 – has committed to the Melbourne outfit for a further two seasons, while 21-year-old Hope has signed a one-year deal.
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Signed in 2006, Broxham has featured in all but one of Melbourne Victory’s Hyundai A-League campaigns to date and this deal sees him tied to the club until the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
Since making his debut in Round 19 of the 2006/07 Premiership and Championship-winning season, Broxham has gone on to claim four Championships, three Premierships, an FFA Cup and become the club’s record appearance maker with 354 appearances across all competitions (292 in the Hyundai A-League).
“I’m pleased to commit to the club for two more seasons and thankful for the support they’ve shown – and continue to show – me,” Broxham said.
“It goes without saying how much Melbourne Victory means to me, and with some changes and fresh approaches under new leadership next season, I remain as motivated as ever to contribute to what the club wants to achieve both on and off the field.”
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Hope, a product of the Football Federation Tasmania NTC talent pathway, is a Football Federation Australia Centre of Excellence graduate and former Joeys captain.
A Championship-winner during his debut season, Hope made five league appearances in 2017/18 and featured 13 times in domestic action in 2018/19 – including five starts. He scored his first senior goal in the 4-1 triumph over Central Coast Mariners in Round 4.
“In Josh and Leigh, we see an important blend of youth and experience that will help us take our next steps as a club,” said Victory’s general manager of football operations Paul Trimboli. “We know that our next head coach will be pleased to utilise them once they begin.”
