Melbourne Victory have confirmed that Socceroos goalkeeper Mitch Langerak will return to the club where his career began on an 18-month deal after 14 years playing at the top level in Europe and, most recently, in Japan.
Langerak has signed on with the Victory until the end of the 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League season, but will first complete his commitments with J.League side Nagoya Grampus until the end of 2024.
The 35-year-old broke through at Victory in the 2009-10 season, earning a high-profile move to German giants Borussia Dortmund, where he played under legendary manager Jurgen Klopp in the Bundesliga and the Champions League.
After stints at VfB Stuttgart and Levante, the Socceroo joined Japanese outfit Nagoya, where he has become a true club great, amassing over 200 appearances and twice breaking the J.League record for most clean sheets in a single campaign.
Now, he will come full circle, returning to Victory to boost the club’s goalkeeping stocks after the departure of Paul Izzo to Danish side Randers.
“We’re excited to be able to welcome Mitch back after farewelling the Club in 2010 to begin his career abroad,” Victory boss Patrick Kisnorbo said.
“Mitch’s pedigree speaks for itself. He’s played at the highest level in Europe and he has been an incredibly consistent performer in Japan.
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“His character, professionalism and attitude to football is an example for all footballers to follow and we look forward to his arrival in January.”
Langerak added: “I’m thrilled to be returning to where it all began for me, with Melbourne Victory.
“Now is the right time to come home for my family and for myself and there is no other Club I’d be returning to, other than Victory.
“My last season at Victory in 2010 saw us go agonisingly close to the Championship and the past season for the team was no different. The goal for me is to help the team achieve the ultimate success and lift that trophy at the end of the season.”
The veteran shot-stopper joins Josh Rawlins, Jing Reec, Reno Piscopo, Jack Dunan and Brendan Hamill as the Victory’s new additions for the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
The club kicks off their fresh campaign this Tuesday with a clash against Lambton Jaffas in the Australia Cup.
