Socceroos right-back Josh Risdon has signed a two-year contract at Perth Glory, returning to where his playing career began ahead of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
The 31-year-old is back in purple after seven seasons interstate – two at Western Sydney Wanderers and five at Western United.
Risdon, who captained Western United to the 2021-22 Isuzu UTE A-League Championship, returns to Perth where he made more than 140 league appearances between 2010 and 2017, and won the club’s Most Glorious Player Award in 2012.
Originally from Bunbury, roughly 150 kilometres south of Perth, Risdon has expressed his delight in bringing his family back home to start his second stint at the club that launched his career.
“I’m so excited to announce my return to Perth Glory, the club where my football journey began,” he said.
“As someone born and bred in WA, it’s an incredible honour to come back home with my family and represent Glory once again.
“With the new ownership steering the club into an exciting era, I am fully committed to working tirelessly to bring back the glory and success that our Members and fans deserve.”
Risdon is the first signing confirmed by Glory after the club collected the Isuzu UTE A-League wooden spoon in 2023-24.
The full-back’s arrival comes the day after Perth announced 11 player departures, including Stefan Colakovski, 2022 MGP Darryl Lachman and co-captain Mark Beevers.
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Glory football director Stan Lazaridis says Risdon’s arrival will resonate with the club’s fans and bolster the playing group’s quality.
“Josh is such a consistent performer and he’s so tough,” Lazaridis said.
“I loved him from the first time I saw him and I remember telling him that he was good enough to play for Australia at right-back.
“He’s like a pit bullthat keeps going at you, he’s got a great engine and he’s a good leader who will have a key role to play in helping our young players to develop.
“Our members and fans regard Josh as one of their own and he is very much what the club is all about.
“I know how much Perth Glory means to him and I can’t tell you how delighted we are that he’s back with us.”
