Uruguayan youth international journeyman Bruno Fornaroli was signed in 2015 to fill Melbourne City’s striker void.
He quickly formed one of the most lethal partnerships in A-League history, one that Socceroos coach Graham Arnold hoped could be replicated at international level in an attempt to qualify for Qatar 2022.
DAVID DAVUTOVIC reflects on the Australian story of one of the most impactful visa signings in A-League history, who has produced some of the A-League’s finest showreels.
BRUNO’S AUSSIE TIMELINE
AUGUST 2015 – URUGUAYAN UNKNOWN SIGNS
Signed on a two-year deal from Uruguayan club Danubio FC, after stints in Europe with Serie A club Sampdoria and Greek giants Panathinaikos. It was a risky signing, having played for eight clubs in as many years plus a lack of Euro minutes. But tapping into the City Football Group’s global scouting network, they were confident of unearthing a gem, if not hopeful after midfielder Aaron Mooy (seven goals) topped City’s scorer’s charts the previous season.
AUGUST 2015 – DEBUT GOAL GIFT
Within a fortnight of signing, a special moment set the scene for one of the most exhilarating attacking partnerships in A-League history. With City 2-0 up in the FFA Cup Round of 32 clash with Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park, penalty-taker Aaron Mooy – who’d netted the opener from the spot – gifted the debutant the ball. Fornaroli converted and shared an emotional embrace with Mooy. They scored all five goals between them in the subsequent 5-0 quarter-final win at Heidelberg United.
OCTOBER 2015 – BIG GAME ANNOUNCEMENT
Fornaroli demonstrated he was a big-game player with a typically tenacious display and goal in the 3-2 Melbourne derby loss to Victory. By Round 10, he’d netted nine goals and became the quickest to reach 11 goals. It was clear City had a new crowd favourite and match-winner.
APRIL 2016 – RECORD BREAKER
Fornaroli won the Golden Boot in his debut season, netting 25 goals in 29 games and 28 in 32 in all competitions, beating Brisbane’s Jamie Maclaren (18 goals) and Victory’s Besart Berisha (17). Fornaroli and Mooy could not be separated, tying for City’s player of the season award. It also happened to be the season Mooy cemented his spot in the Socceroos first XI, after an A-League record 20 assists.
OCTOBER 2016 – MARQUEE SKIPPER
Fornaroli was named City captain, replacing Patrick Kisnorbo, and elevated to marquee status, after signing a new three-year deal, and formed a strike partnership with Socceroos great Tim Cahill.
NOVEMBER 2016 – CITY SILVERWARE
Hoisted City’s first men’s trophy, after they beat Graham Arnold’s Sydney FC to win the FFA Cup 1-0, in front of a record 18,800 fans. Fornaroli was awarded the Mark Viduka Medal as player of the match, and inadvertently dropping an expletive during celebrations.
AUGUST 2017 – INJURY HEARTACHE
Suffered broken ankle after a horror tackle in the FFA Cup clash away to Hakoah Sydney City East. Fornaroli, who was a week shy of his 29th birthday, had scored 49 goals in 65 games in all competitions at that stage.
JANUARY 2018 – AUSSIE INTENT
Fornaroli declared his intention to become an Australian citizen and play for the Socceroos: “If the opportunity comes I want to take it and I am happy to defend this country. This country opened the door to me and my family and we are very grateful,” Fornaroli told the Herald Sun. Fornaroli returned in Round 20 and formed an exciting combination with breakout winger Daniel Arzani, netting five goals as he slowly regained his confidence.
NOVEMBER 2018 – THE CITY FALLOUT
Fornaroli, City’s marquee player, was sensationally axed by City coach Warren Joyce. It followed a series of bitter exits at City, including Cahill, Fernando Brandan and Neil Kilkenny. There was much speculation about what fuelled the rift, with Joyce questioning Fornaroli’s “commitment and desire”.
FEBRUARY 2019 – THE OFFICIAL END
City released Fornaroli, 31, after the transfer window was closed. He penned a letter to City fans declaring “I gave my all”, later labelling his final months at City “the worst in my career” and regretted not being able to say goodbye to fans, leaving as the club’s record scorer (57 goals in 83 games). He agreed to join Tony Popovic’s Perth Glory for 2019/20.
OCTOBER 2019 – DEBUT GLORY GOAL
Fornaroli scored his first goal in Glory colours, en route to 13 goals in 28 debut season games.
MARCH 2022
After representing Uruguay’s Under 17s at the 2003 South American Under 17 Championships, Fornaroli was picked by Graham Arnold and officially switched international allegiance. He became Socceroo #618 when he debuted in the 2-0 home loss to Japan, becoming our older debutant at 34 years and six months. He finished the game on the pitch alongside Jamie Maclaren, who was briefly his teammate at City, though they never played together.
