Hyundai A-League January transfer news

For many Hyundai A-League clubs, January has been about shuffling rosters, bringing in new faces, releasing others and re-signings. See how your club has fared (at time of writing) ahead of this weekend’s split Round 15.

Adelaide United

Ins: none

Outs: none

Re-signed: none

There’s been no movement needed for Reds boss Josep Gombau, quite content with what he already has at his disposal heading into the second part of the season. Teenager Awer Mabil used the break to spend a week trialling with famous Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam, but no deal has been struck yet, meaning Mabil will see out the rest of this season at least in Adelaide. Which is great news for fans of this excitement machine

Brisbane Roar FC

Ins: Jerome Polenz (Sarpsborg 08)

Outs: Mensur Kurtishi (released)

Re-signed: none

Brisbane has brought in ex-Wanderers defender Polenz to stiffen their backline, especially in the troublesome right-back position. Leaving the club is Albanian striker Kurtishi, who has struggled to live up to the tag of the “new Berisha”. The biggest plus for Roar should be the impending return to action for both goalkeeper Michael Theo and playmaker Thomas Broich from injury.

Central Coast Mariners

Ins: Travis Major (Blacktown City), Dejan Pandurevic

Outs: Malick Mane, Kim Seung-yong (both released)

Re-signed: Josh Rose, Nick Montgomery and Nick Fitzgerald on new two-year deals

Having agreed to let imports Mane and Kim leave the club, attacking reinforcements have been the focus for coach Phil Moss. Major and Pandurevic add a bit more depth in the front third. One of their best servants in Rose has pledged his future to the club for a further two years, as well as Montgomery and Fitzgerald in a great boost.

Melbourne City FC

Ins: Jack Clisby (Perth Glory), Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus)

Outs: Liam Miller (Cork City)

Re-signed: none

City took the chance to get out of Australia during the break, heading to Abu Dhabi for an intense 12-day training camp and a couple of friendly matches. Kennedy, a Socceroos striker of great note, looms as a key addition for City, who have been missing a focal point in attack. But Clisby is also an astute signing, adding depth and competition in key areas at centre and left-back. Experienced midfielder Liam Miller’s brief stay with the club is over, heading back to his native Ireland.

Melbourne Victory

Ins: none

Outs: none

Re-signed: Connor Pain, Jason Geria for two more years

Little to report out of the Victory camp with coach Kevin Muscat yet to try and bolster a squad that already has plenty of quality. Shows he’s happy with his off-season recruitment. The only position the Victory boss might still look to tighten up is in central defence, with Frenchman Matthieu Delpierre still struggling with a foot problem and no set timeline on his return. Young guns Geria and Pain both inked new deals with the club just before the New Year.

Newcastle Jets

Ins: none

Outs: Sam Gallaway (Wanderers), Marcos Flores (released), Andrew Hoole (leaving at end of the season)

Re-signed: Ben Kennedy on new two-year deal

Already struggling on the pitch, Phil Stubbins squad has taken an hit with both Sam Gallaway and Marco Flores allowed to leave. Making matters worse, local junior Andrew Hoole will walk away from the club at the end of the season, likely to join Sydney FC. Stubbins is still hopefully of adding to his squad but time is running out. The re-signing of Kennedy is a small bright spot in what’s been a tough few weeks which has also included an injury to James Virgili, seeing him out for most of the rest of the season. 

Perth Glory

Ins: Dragan Paljic (Heracles Almelo)

Outs: Jack Clisby (Melbourne City)

Re-signed: Scott Jamieson for two more seasons

With Dutch flyer Youssouf Hersi sidelined for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury, Glory moved to cover the gap with the acquisition of the exciting German Paljic. A former team-mate of Socceroo left-back Jason Davidson, Paljic moved Down Under on his recommendation. With Clisby leaving the club for City, coach Kenny Lowe may still look to make one more addition to his squad either in central defence or up-front as cover for Andy Keogh. Meanwhile reserve keeper Jack Duncan is had a two-week trial with Danish club Randers FC.

Sydney FC

Ins: Mickael Tavares (FK Mlada Boleslav), Jacques Faty (Wuhan Sall), Robert Stambolziev (Niki Volos)

Outs: none

Re-signed: none

The transfer window came at the perfect time for the wounded Sky Blues following season-ending injuries to Ali Abbas, Corey Gameiro, Sasa Ognenovski and Nick Carle. They kept it in the family – well sort of – in bringing in replacements, with Senegalese cousins Tavares and Faty joining the club. The pair bring with them bucket loads of experience and quality from long careers in Europe and will add some much-needed steel to Sydney’s line-up. The addition of 24-year-old Aussie Robert Stambolziev this week is another astute pick-up – expect another one before the end of the transfer window as Graham Arnold looks to boost his side’s finals hopes.

Wellington Phoenix

Ins: none

Outs: Jeremy Brockie (SuperSport United)

Re-signed: none

Phoenix has been rather quiet in the transfer window, with only striker Jeremy Brockie moving on to South African side SuperSport United. There big test may still be to come – keeping a hold of the Hyundai A-League’s leading goal-scorer Nathan Burns. The Socceroos attacker is reportedly the subject of a big-money offer from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. Meanwhile reports Michael Boxall is set to join Brockie at his new South African club are premature, say the club. No re-signings as yet though expect at least one in the next couple of weeks.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC

Ins: Kerem Bulut (Akhisar Belediyespor), Sam Gallaway (Newcastle Jets), Yusuke Tanaka (Kawasaki Frontale), Yujiro Takahagi (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)

Outs: none

Re-signed: Kearyn Baccus on a permanent deal for a further two years

The Wanderers have been the most aggressive movers in the transfer market, bringing in four new players so far. But already with a full roster, the quartet have been signed on solely ACL contracts, meaning they will only feature in the Hyundai A-League over the next few months if other players are moved on.